Green Roofs, next hot trend?

[Bambi]

Green roofs are generally categorized by one of two forms. Extensive green roofs, also known as eco-roofs or low-profile roofs, are made with a few thin layers of soil, are lightweight, relatively less expensive, and require very little maintenance. Extensive green roofs are the correct choice, the experts say, when the primary desire is for an ecological cover with limited human access.
Intensive or high-profile green roofs, on the other hand, look like traditional roof gardens because a much wider variety of plant material is usually included. They have soil depths ranging from 8 to 12 inches, with growth that can extend upward of 15 feet. They can include such architectural features as waterfalls, ponds and gazebos. Their construction and maintenance is much more costly.

This was done in Chicago at Church Street Station Condominiums. garden roof where unit owners could get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life was part of plans to create a place buyers would call home. To make it, Chicago's American Hydrotech used what it calls time-tested components so that the garden would bloom and flourish season after season.

[Bambi]

I think this would be a great idea in big cities. This would give tennanets a place to hang out, and enjoy the outdoors. There would be away from all of the noise of the city. This would come in handy for those who aren't near a city park.

Lets hear from you. What do you think?

[Violet]

Wow, that would be a great concept. I don't live in a big city, but I think that is a great idea. Residents would have a place to hang out. Now I am sure the issue would of course be money. If residents could come up with a way to make them a little less costly to maintain. Maybe potted plants would be a cheap way, maybe add some benches. etc.

If perhaps people put time and effort they could make a really cool rooftop garden.

[Silver 1]

MY MY MY people you ARE behind the times, we've been doing that in the UK for DECADES, and it provides an EXCELLENT insulation for the building, as well as a cozy place as you say to "Hang Out".

Only problem is pedestrians down on the street need to take care to avoid rapidly descending frisbees, tennis balls etc (wry chuckle) hehehe :eek:

[Violet]

We may be behind the times, as you so well put it. Not all of the cities here are behing the times. Some big cities already have roof top gardens and even small parks. It would be great if smaller cities could do the same.

[Silver 1]

I'm in complete agreement with you Violet, we need to drag the city councilors kicking and screaming into the 21st century, and get them to realize that going "GREEN" is not going CRAZY, nor does it mean that they are losing it, or that they are unsuitable for the position they hold.

It DOES however, mean that they are showing that they CARE about their city, their environment, and their PEOPLE. And with a little careful financial planning, it doesn't have fund the next mars mission out of their own pockets to do it either. Who knows they MIGHT even get re-elected. for another term by a grateful electorate, who MIGHT want them to do MORE to go "GREENER".

[Rusty 1]

I have to hold my hand up to ACTUALLY turning a city councilor GREEN back in the UK, we had a city councilor, who was as ANTI GREEN a you could get, he bitched and squawked like it was going out of fashion about these "Crazy Greens" as he called them. One day I was visiting the council house, on a completely unrelated subject, and witnessed him in mid-tirade, NOT a pretty sight I assure you.

I politely asked him to step into his office for a quiet word, this he did, once we were in private I let him have it right between the eyes. I told him just how idiotic he looked belly aching to everyone within earshot that he didn't like to "Go Green", he damn near blew a gasket, I said sit down for a moment and tell me exactly what it is that you think that going green means. WITHOUT shouting at the top of your voice, I'm right here, not half a mile down the road.

He started to list one thing after another that he THOUGHT meant "Going Green" none of which actually did. I sat down with him and explained that Going Green was the way to go in todays "Environmentally Aware" society, it took a while to convince him, but eventually he saw my point of view.

Then I dropped the real bomb shell did he know that CENTRAL GOVERNMENT were ALREADY going green, he literally nearly fell off his chair, He asked me to repeat that once again slowly. I repeated it once more, slowly, clearly and distinctly, just to make absolutely certain that he heard and understood every single word. This guy was totally committed to CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, they were GODS to him, not LIKE GODS, they WERE GODS to him.

It took a full minute for him to regain his power of speech. Are you absolutely CERTAIN about this he asked. Trust me I said I've been there and I've seen it with my own eyes, which I had, I "forgot" to tell him that all I saw was an experimental trial that only lasted for about 2 weeks he he he but they WERE GOING GREEN, and as it turned out they found out that it actually SAVED them money into the bargain. He asked me if I could introduce him to more "Green People" as he called them so he could get a broader picture. I took him to meet a friend of mine who as it turned out was as "Green" as Sherwood forest. When I told her who I was bringing she nearly choked on her tea.

"The day that two faced conniving little *&%$ goes green I'll smooch you in front of the entire meeting". Be careful what you say I told her, knowing that she was VERY HAPPILY MARRIED. When I brought the councilor to the meeting EVERYBODY was stunned speechless, not quite sure of what to make of it, they were even more amazed when he politely asked permission to address the meeting.

When he was finished you could have heard a pin drop for about a minute, then all hell let loose, they cheered him with a standing ovation for about three minutes. He never looked back after that.

Oh and by the way, no I didn't hold my friend to her word, the look of complete and utter astonishment on her face was enough for me h he he :cool: