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We Must Go To The Roof!
by Channing-Jaye Scott
Many have heard of green roofs, a living roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation, but in recent years courtesy of the Dutch, there came this addition of ““blue roofs” (to capture water) and “yellow roofs” (to harness solar and wind energy).”
Blue roofs, a sustainable solution that provides solutions to issues surrounding environmental, social, and economic challenges, is a practice that the Netherlands have widely adopted. During our trip in the Netherlands, we were able to learn more about such vegetative spaces in Dutch urban cities. However, as a way to combat urban challenges and tailor to the needs of the Netherlands, a country where about 26% of the Netherlands is below sea level, with much of the country situated on low-lying land reclaimed from the sea, blue roofs became literal sponges in order to absorb water and become water retention ponds to minimize the impact of flooding on neighborhoods.
Companies such as Wavin, a company established to better social and environmental relationships through smart innovation, discusses the possibilities that can be done with rainwater harvesting. For example, Wavin discusses the utilization of siphonic drainage, a cost efficient system used on large industrial roofs to drain large amounts of rainwater. By absorbing and filtering rainwater, which reduces the load on stormwater infrastructure and improves water quality, this decreases the vulnerability of the Netherlands to flooding.
Specifically, when visiting Amsterdam, we were able to look at an up and coming project that emphasized the use of green spaces on the entire building, with of course the implementation of blue roofs. As Amsterdam is a metropolitan city, the addition of blue roofs can be looked at from a multi-purpose perspective, as such systems not only decrease the intensity of flooding but also can prolong a roof’s life and welcome biodiversity to a project. With our trip in the Netherlands and being able to see different aspects of sustainability for the Dutch, blue roofs are just one aspect of building and maintaining liveable cities through clean energy and infrastructure.
Therefore, after returning back to Philadelphia, a city whose density creates large infrastructure and climate problems, green roofs are already a sustainable option being implemented. Notable green roofs in Philadelphia are the Horticultural Society's Pop-up Garden, which features a variety of plants and a bar, and the Philadelphia Eagles' Lincoln Financial Field, which features a green roof and solar panels.
However, the city can do much more as Philadelphia continues to fight against climate change while also tackling such issues in a city that is grappling with poverty. Initiatives such as many of those we saw and spoke about, using the high number of abandoned buildings in Philadelphia to begin the construction of blue roofs, and turning such green spaces into more social spaces would welcome the idea to the city.
An added incentive to the implementation of green, blue and yellow spaces would be the benefits to improving air quality as Philadelphia has been ranked as one of the most polluted cities for particle pollution. Main sources of air pollution are traffic, industrial activity, and residential and commercial heating. The increase of green spaces and cleaner living can improve air quality by filtering pollutants and carbon dioxide, while also providing insulation, which can help to reduce energy costs for buildings, and contribute to a more attractive and livable urban environment.
However, one must also consider the costs associated with implementing such roofs in large capacities. To ensure the support of all members of the community and stakeholders, a shared vision is required. Through other discussions in riding through different Dutch cities and seeing how apartment buildings became community epicenters for sustainable living, residents and community members would welcome the idea of better living conditions, if we can show the benefits of the change in living.
Overall, through discussing the importance of liveable cities while witnessing the driving force of the Dutch to create clean cities, by building green, blue, and yellow roofs in highly metropolitan cities such Philadelphia, the US could soon reap the economic, social and environmental benefits of clean living as well.
Sources:
“About.” Wavin, www.wavin.com/en-en/about. Accessed 12 May 2023.
“Green Roofs for Liveable Cities.” WUR,
www.wur.nl/en/article/green-roofs-for-liveable-cities.htm. Accessed 12 May 2023.
Inside Rotterdam’s Quest to Green 10 Million Square Feet of Rooftops,
www.fastcompany.com/90755913/inside-rotterdams-quest-to-green-10-million-square-feet-of-ro
oftops. Accessed 12 May 2023.
“Pennfuture Blog.” PennFuture, www.pennfuture.org/Blog-Item-2023-State-of-the-Air. Accessed
12 May 2023.
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