Despite the economic climate, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) reports that the green roof industry grew by a healthy 28.5 percent last year, up significantly from 16 percent growth in 2009.
For the seventh straight year, Chicago (its Millennium Park pictured above) led all other cities in the country, installing more than 500 thousand square feet of green roofs. Washington DC came in second, with more than 400 thousand square feet, followed by New York; Philadelphia; Norfolk, VA; Milwaukee; Baltimore; Atlanta; and Seattle/Tacoma.
Steven Peck, founder and president of GRHC, said that the top cities in the survey "continue to lead the way with incentives and regulations that recognize the many benefits from green roofs, including much needed green jobs in their communities." He said the federal government is also leading the way on green roof development, citing in particular the Environmental Protection Agency and the General Services Administration.
In Chicago, chief environmental commissioner Suzanne Malec-McKenna noted that green roofs help capture stormwater, insulate buildings, reduce the effects of heat islands and create new green spaces for people and wildlife.
GRHC also reported that there are now more than 425 accredited green roof professionals around the country, and the organization hopes to accredit many more in coming years with its program of courses that are offered across the country.
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