Ecosystem science meets design up on the (green) roof

Green roofs have become a standard sustainable building technology in many regions. They are a favourite among designers, policymakers and urban dwellers not only for their ecological multi-tasking but also because they transform a vast and underused layer of the city–the roof scape—into a thing of beauty. However, not all green roofs are made equal and many do not survive past the first year. This presentation will outline the myths and misconceptions around greenroof design and discuss the gaps between ecological aspirations, municipal guidelines, industry practices and research findings at the University of Toronto’s Green Roof Innovation Testing (GRIT) Laboratory.