Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/48345
Landscape Design and Construction By Steven Peck, GRP, Honorary ASLA Brooklyn Grange Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Grange Brooklyn Grange Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Grange Award-winning Green Roof and Wall Projects W ater is a crucial aspect of the urban ecosystem and one that is gaining attention in cities around the world. Green roofs and walls are key components in restoring vital water resources in urban environments, and improving the health and well-being of communities. Local and state governments throughout North America are beginning to realize the value of improving urban water through green infrastructure. The City of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, co-hosts of the CitiesAlive Green Roof and Wall Conference, have devel- oped a multi-billion dollar plan to develop an integrated water management system that will include green roofs and walls, and other forms of green infrastructure. They plan to invest more than $2 billion over the next 25 years to produce more than 9,000 "green acres" to manage their stormwater. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also connecting citizens across the country through its Urban Wa- ters Movement, by empowering communities to learn about their local waterways, share ideas and solutions, and act to clean up and improve access to those waters with tools like green roofs and walls. In April, the EPA launched an initiative to promote green infrastructure, partnering with 10 cities throughout the country. CitiesAlive will explore the full potential of living green infra- structure through expert panel discussions and meetings with ex- perts highlighting the latest science on green roof and wall performance research. It will also feature an industry trade show, tours of extraordinary green roof and wall projects, and award- winning green roof designs. Highlights of award-winning green roof and wall projects for 2011 include Brooklyn Grange, and a living wall in Phoenix. Brooklyn Grange Brooklyn Grange is a pioneer in the emerging niche of 10 Landscape and Irrigation November/December 2011 rooftop agriculture. The 40,000-square-foot commercial farm is located on the rooftop of a six-story building in the dense urban environment of Queens, N.Y. The project integrates traditional in- tensive green roof design with organic agriculture and permacul- ture principles to create a commercially viable urban farm. In its first abbreviated growing season, the farm raised 13,000 pounds of produce, a number that will be topped in 2011. In its second sea- son (year) of full production, the farm is producing dozens of va- rieties of vegetables and herbs, and is selling the output to local restaurants and direct to the public through farmers markets and community supported agriculture (CSA) shares. This local distri- bution lowers the fossil fuel consumption by transportation. The farm participates in community outreach programs by providing tours and volunteer opportunities to local residents, schools, com- munity groups and other community members who otherwise would not have an opportunity to experience an organic farm. The green roof uses a 6- to 18-inch media depth depending on the location, using organic soil media by Rooflite mixed with com- post. The roof is designed to use minimal resources. Food scraps, fallen leaves, wood shavings, and other biodegradables are collected from the local community for Brooklyn Grange's compost program, and this further reduces the amount of inputs needed to maintain the growing medium. As well, the green roof system holds up to 1 inch of water in reserve, reducing the burden on New York City's stormwater management system, and allowing for less frequent crop irrigation. The farm covers all the available space on the roof to maximize growing area and stormwater management capacity. There is little doubt that projects like this will continue to multiply in cities across North America. Brooklyn Grange not only grows high-quality produce, but it has, in the words of its pioneer Ben Flanner, "become a critical community resource, bringing many people together to share in the labor and many benefits of rooftop agriculture." www.landscapeirrigation.com