Green roofs are kind of just how they sound- roofs that are green spaces-- spaces full of plant life. They can be places to grow fruit, vegetables, flowers or any other plants. They can be parks, or gardens, oasis in the hussle and bussle. They can help with heating and cooling in buildings.
They can increase the life span of the roof, reduce stormwater run-off, filter pollutants from air and water, insulate for sound, increase wildlife habitat in urban spaces... But very few buildings take advantage. Large apartment complexes could have urban coops. Share the work amongst the entire building, and everyone reaps the benefits. Or they could sell this space off to urban farmers. We could revitalize mostly currently unused spaces and make them into urban parks or farms.

In the days of emergency prepardness-- does it not make sense that those in the city should be able to help feed themselves in some ways? Green roofs can help do this. It also helps to reduce shipping costs-- the amount of fuel and energy needed to get our produce and our foods to us. Our produce could be cheaper, because it comes from right beside us.

If all our city buildings had green roofs, our cities could help to feed themselves. We would have more natural spaces in the cities.

American Green Roof Tax Incentive
More about green roofs
Toronto Green Roof Tax Incentive
Other grants and programs for green roofs

If this was an option in your building-- would you want it?

My city is doing this to the city buildings. We got some sort of grant to do the project. It will be intresting.

That is awesome! Keep us updated on how it works and looks once it's all finished.

There are a few right now in downtown Toronto. http://www.toronto.ca/greenroofs/experience.htm.
There are also a few in Kitchener that I have come across: http://www.exchangemagazine.com/morningpost/2008/week21/Friday/052302.html
and http://www.ecosherpa.com/green-construction/kitchener-arena-greens-for-gold/

Create oxygen on your own rooftop... what a cool idea. I'd definitely love to see more of this!

I think this is a good alternative:

http://www.roofery.com/shingles/rubber.html

Reusing or recycling materials is a great alternative (and probably cheaper!).
Thanks for sharing the link!

Going through a number of title commitments for a right of way project this week, I came across quite a few buyers from Kitchener who had purchased residential lots in Pueblo West, CO. in the early '80's. They must have flown them in from Canada by the bus loads. Interesting, to say the least.

I could see why Kitchenerites might be drawn to CO. It's a beautiful state!
How interesting! Maybe there were some business or corporate connections or something and they transferred a whole bunch of people from one branch to another. Hmm. I wonder if we have/had some similar businesses??

I still think this is a good "Green Roof" in Osaka. A little Bonsai Tree gone wild; but doing no harm. And making Oxygen on the roof too !

It's an Earthquake resistant Japanese Café in Osaka where the Little Bonsai Tree has gotten out of control . . . . It’s now part of the Family. In our Business, we always recommend that people have as few roof penetrations as possible. This one looks like a perpetual maintenance project.

It’s good to know that there are some eccentric people like this all over the World . . . . using Real Estate to make their own little Statement !

That brings a whole new meaning to the term "green roof"!
Wow! Not sure I would like that one so much... might get a little leaking around the branches. LOL

LOL, Great PIC,

I once eat a restuarnt that had green grass on the roof, complete with goats grazing on top.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8MAKHixfjsY/RrYKF3NnPuI/AAAAAAAAALw/z4ubVdD0-Fo/s320/Door%2BPeninsula%2BGoats%2B013.jpg

Are you suggesting this only for commercial and downtown buildings? What would the additional cost be to do something like this for residential housing?

It's for more than just commercial and downtown buildings. It can be used for any building really. The types vary incredibly, from simple grass roofs to highly dense gardens with waterfalls and many other features.
There are what's called extensive or intensive green roofs and the pricing varies between these two types. Extensive roofs cost between $9/sq. ft. - $25/sq. ft. These roofs are thinner and have less layers and are usually more shallowly rooted. These types are not meant for extensive human interaction.
Intensive roofs cost anywhere between $25-40/sq ft. This type is more high-profile and are usually more like a traditional roof garden and can feature deeper planting. This type is more about human interaction on the roof.
You can check the links above for more details.

I will google for results of these green roofs and how popular they are in high humidity areas.