Chicago Green Roof Top - Case Study Example

Chicago Green Roof Top Green roof tops are the roof tops used for planting purposes either wholly or partly. Plantsare grown on the roof tops in pots as well but this kind of arrangement cannot be categorized under the heading of green roof tops. As all the plants are living therefore these are also called as living roofs. Excluding from the definition plants grown in pots on the roof tops it can stated that green roof tops are those roof tops which are fully or partly covered with plants or greenery. The green roofs contains a water proof layer, roots containing surface and drainage system as well. The absorbing capacity of these roofs are also very important it absorbs rain water and make it useable in drought days (Eco-Roofs Green Roof Systems). Many developed countries of the world have developed their cities green by planting different kind of plants on the free roof tops of almost all urban areas. Green roof tops are mostly planted in urban areas due to availability of less space for planting purposes in such areas. Roof tops are the ideal places for planting as it almost remains idle and therefore can be used for the beneficial purpose which is not only eco-friendly but is also very effective for other social and environmental purposes. Green roof tops can be installed at very lower cost(compared to its benefits) at the top of any kind of building ranging from industrial buildings to residential buildings supplying same kind of benefits to the residents of that buildings. The benefits that are expected to flow from the installation of the green roof tops can easily outweigh the costs of installation of the same (Epa.gov) (Artic.edu). Benefits are as follows: Shade: It provides shade and decreases the effect of heat due to its Heat Island Effect. Buildings which have green roof tops appears to be cooler than others in summer and hot than others in winter. This effect is very beneficial in terms of health and environment (Asla.org) (Artic.edu). Quality of Air/Provision of Fresh Air: Due to availability of green plants it not only absorbs pollution and make the environment better but also give fresh oxygen to the environment which is known as fresh air. The provision of this fresh air keeps the inhabitants healthy (Asla.org) (Artic.edu). Energy Conversation: As discussed above green roof tops absorbs heat and thus keep the building cooler in summer and warm in winter reducing use of energy sources for cooling and warming purposes of the building. (Asla.org) Green House and Health: As the plants are very useful source for human beings serving their respiration needs and feeding needs through production of oxygen and different kinds of fruit and vegetables. Other argument is that green plants absorbs ultra-violet rays of the sun saving human from its impact, thus green roof tops not only servers humans internally(health and satisfaction) but it also serves them externally(good environment) (Asla.org). Heat and Noise Insulation: In urban areas inhabitants often complaints from the noise of traffic and machinery this problem can be also be solved with the help of green roof tops. Plants are absorbents of noise, heart and pollution (Greenroofs.com). Enhanced Water Management: As in green roof tops there is capacity for storage of rain water which can be used in times of drought. Not only the storage of water is improved but it also helps in quality of the stored water as it passes from the natural filter (Pilloton) (Greenroofs.com). Human Comfort: Due to presence of natural comfort in greenery it gives to humans comfort by offering fresh air and a feeling of saving and feeding wild life which in turn offers mental satisfaction to humans. Wild Life: Greenery is the inhabitant of wild life which is also very important for conservation of human life on this planet as bees are very important for human survival. The every ones’ favorite honey is also the product of wild life (Pilloton) (Greenroofs.com). Due to the above stated benefits it becomes very necessary both economically and environmentally that we should have green roof tops it not only helps in the health conditions of the citizens but also benefits the whole state due to conservation of energy of energy the abundance of which is nowadays considered as determinant of growth for a state. Chicago has more than 200 green roofs covering more than 2.5 million square feet area(more than 70 % of which comprises public buildings) (Pilloton). No other state of the United States has such a huge number of green roofs. The credit of this achievement goes to the Mayor Richard M. Dailey who have started this struggle by giving directions for Chicago’s City Hall’s green roof top which is the main place in the city and is visible from the taller towers of the city. This project was a pilot project intended for the testing of different systems in the green roofs. This pilot project was claimed to have completed in 2001 leaving half of the roof uncultivated and was restricted for public visitors which places a big question mark on the authenticity of this project. Most of the citizens believe that it was just the madness of the Mayor’s son and nothing else. It remained a pilot project from that time onward and did not get promotion to its final structure. Rendering proud in this pilot project would lead Chicago towards decrease in the number of green roofs in future. The benefits that were claimed in terms of dollars savings are fake as per the behavior of the authorities towards the allowance of public entrance to green roof. The benefits that were claimed by the mayor if was real then why they stopped in the middle leaving half of the building place. The benefits that were wrongly claimed by the Mayors was just for the justification of the high cost that were incurred on this project, as the cost of installation green roofs increases with the height of the building. Chicago has only about 200 green roofs covering about 2.5 Million feet which is a minute part of the total buildings in the city. Which means that this industry needs improvement and requires attention in terms of wise investment that is not a dull investment like the one incurred on Hall. (Eco-Roofs Green Roof Systems) (Asla.org) (Artic.edu) Comparison of Chicago and Germany in Green Roofs: Chicago Germany Green Roofs= about 200 Green Roofs= more than 3000 Total Percentage: less than 1 % Total Percentage= 12% Green Roof Industry growth rate= 30 % Annually. Green Roof Industry growth rate= 10-15 % Annually. (Sempergreen.com) The growth rate of the industry in Chicago is more than that of Germany but still the number of the green roofs are very low. Following actions shall be taken for the improvement of the number of green roofs: Public awareness campaigns shall be lodged Cost benefit analysis shall be done before installation Tax credits shall be allowed on import of plants Roofs of less tall buildings shall be given preference Architectural services shall be provided by Government References Artic.edu,. Benefits. N.p., 2015. Web. 4 May 2015. Artic.edu,. Chicago Green Roofs. N.p., 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. Asla.org,. Chicago City Hall Green Roof. N.p., 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. Eco-Roofs Green Roof Systems,. Eco-Roofs Green Roof Systems -. N.p., 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. Epa.gov,. Green Roofs | Heat Island Effect | US EPA. N.p., 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. Greenroofs.com,. Greenroofs.Com Projects - Chicago City Hall. N.p., 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. Pilloton, Emily. CHICAGO GREEN ROOF PROGRAM. Inhabitat.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. Sempergreen.com,. Green Roof - Sempergreen. N.p., 2015. Web. 3 May 2015. Read More