Green Roof Policy - A Sustainable Space to Grow? (Paperback)

This thesis explores the question, what innovative policy and planning tools are cities currently using to encourage green roofs? The first section analyzes the existing body of literature on why green roofs would be beneficial on a city-wide scale, as well as for addressing climate change. The green roof policy approaches used internationally are also discussed in order to set the research inquiry within a global context. The second section of the thesis analyzes the emerging policy approaches of three North American cities: Chicago, Toronto, and New York City. The case studies, supported by interview findings, provide different focal points for cities to examine when thinking about adopting a green roof initiative. The recommendations focus on maintaining a local lens for thoughtful policy implantation, as well as an emphasis on the truly innovative quality that green roofs possess to make us rethink the function of our built environment.