Question

some of the specific environmental and economic benefits offered by green roofs?Considering these benefits, explain how the expansion of green roofs in a densely populated city such as New York can help overcome some of the unequal access to urban agriculture?

Answer 1

Green roofs are thick and composed layers on roof for plants and vegetation. The layer consists of waterproof membrane, roof protection barrier, drainage layer for plantation.

It was 1st developed in Germany in 1960s after that it is adopted by many developed cities and countries. Apart from Germany it is adopted by Canada, Japan, Singapore and many cities of US like Atlanta, Portland, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Chicago leads as city with more green roofs.

There are many benefits of Green roofs like it improves the drainage system of the building, increases lifespan of the roof, it gives attractive looks to the building and many others. Here we will discuss some environmental and economic benefits of green roofs:-

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS:-

:- It helps in carbon dioxide emissions. According to UKQBC 44% of total carbon dioxide released from buildings. Green roof will help to reduce it.

:- It creates an eco friendly habitat. Garden roof will attract birds and butterflies and other insects.

:- It reduces up to 37% of sulphur dioxide, 21% of nitrous acid and 0.2 kg of dust particles every year.

Generally garden roofs helps to reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and help to reduce global warming. It has a good effect on environment.

ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF GREEN ROOFS:-

:- It reduces energy cost. It balances heating and cooling system of building that is why energy demand of buildings reduces up to 75% .

:- Saving, investing in green roofs in national level will reduce the cost of power supply, there will be less power cuts, more power supply and the creation of green roof will lead to sustainable jobs and many more.

:- As compare to other farming techniques there will be no extra rent to pay , in other farming techniques people have to pay extra rent for the land they are farming on but in case of roof farming there will be no extra rent to pay.

New York is a heavily populated city. Urban agriculture is practice of cultivation, production and distribution of food in any urban area. It leads to direct access to fresh vegetables or any other agricultural products.

Urban agriculture has some good as well as bad effects. In urban agriculture pesticides are used which is harmful for the town( applying pesticides middle of a town is not a good idea) it pollutes the air.

Urban agriculture leads to contamination for animal waste.

Urban agriculture sites occurs space which should manage properly by the owner, improper use of land may lead to accidents.

The land that is used for urban farming is expensive, it leads to higher rent . Taxation can be difficult in this case.

These are some demerits of urban farming which can be reduced by adopting roof technology.

In New York there is approximately 1 million buildings are there which can be used for roof farming by which the issue of land can be solved.

Garden roof will enhance the urban landscape of New York. It will increase the availability of fresh and healthy food

It will help to clean the environment of the city. It will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases from the environment.

It will improve the property value of the city and will reduce the energy cost of the city

Green roof is better than urban farming though it has less negative effects than urban farming. By adopting this technology New York can not only get fresh agricultural products but also can achieve a healthier environment.