Green Roofs Growth In The United States

American rivers suggests that a usd 10b investment could create 190 000 jobs by building 48 5 billion square feet of green roof area or just one percent of the united states roof space in every community over 50 000 in population.

Green roofs growth in the united states.

Annually 500 million square feet or 8800 football fields of lost nature by building new warehouses in the united states alone. Aerial view the chicago city hall green roof on the west portion of the city hall county building. Today s living green wall market. According to the organization green roofs for healthy cities in 2012 the washington dc metropolitan region installed the most green roofs in north america with 1 326 872 square feet.

Replacing black asphalt and. With some of the existing warehouses this translates to a potential of at least 1 billion of square feet of new extensive green roofs every year that could retain the volume of lake constance that is surrounded by three countries germany switzerland and austria or over the double volume of lake powell ut az. Added 190 000 square feet in 2009 and has set a goal of 20 percent green roof coverage by 2020. Any review of current trends reveals an energized market defined by a number of demand factors.

San francisco s better roofs ordinance san francisco was the first to develop a mandate for green roofing. As a general rule potentially suitable species can be found by looking at the microclimate media depth solar levels water availability etc of the green roof in question and comparing it to a plant s native habitat. The growth of green roofs in the us mirrors their use in other countries like germany where they are more commonly seen. The demand for green buildings and environmentally friendly roofing solutions is driving fast growth in the roofing systems market which is expected to top 157 billion by 2021.

The toronto based organization green roofs for healthy cities estimates an increase of about 15 percent in the number of green roofs in north america since 2013. City last year added 600 000 square feet of green roofs and has some 600 projects that will bring its total to 7 million square feet. As the urgent question of sustainable healthy design spurs the green wall market to new heights architects and designers must consider market trends and recent growth to best plan for future biophilic development. The general services administration gsa has designed and maintained green roofs for decades and finds them to be economical amenities that make fiscal and environmental sense.