by Shane Henson — May 16, 2012—Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC), a member-based industry association dedicated to the development of the green roof and wall industry throughout North America, recently announced that the results of its 2012 Annual Industry Survey of Corporate Members showed a substantial increase in the number of green roofs being created in America’s cities.
A green roof system is an extension of the existing roof that involves a high-quality waterproofing and root repellant system, a drainage system, filter cloth, a lightweight growing medium, and plants. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, at the community level green roofs also moderate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and manage stormwater, and at the facility level they reduce noise, increase energy efficiency and roofing membrane durability, offer fire protection and more.
According to the organization, the green roof industry grew by 115% over the course of 2011, up significantly from 28.5% growth recorded in 2010.
“We are definitely beginning to see results from policy support that has increased over the past few years,” said Jeffrey L. Bruce, a chair within the GRHC. “The industry is also benefitting from the more than 500 accredited green roof professionals in the market, who are committed to driving future industry growth.”
In the top 10 U.S. metropolitan regions rankings, Washington DC vaulted into first place, with more than 800,000 square feet of green roofs installed in 2011, says GRHC.
“This is evidence that the District is moving toward my vision for a sustainable DC and will lead the nation in implementing green practices and growing a green economy,” said Washington DC’s Mayor Vincent C. Gray. “We are fully committed to being number one again next year.”
Yet while the nation’s capitol was the clear green roof leader this year, the city of Chicago is the undisputed green roof leader of the past decade, noted GRHC. With more than five million square feet of installed green roofs, it is one million square feet ahead of any other metro region since the survey started in 2004.
