Although green roofs have been widely adopted in urban areas to reduce the heat island effect and stormwater runoff, Mexico City is hoping that vegetative rooftops can also reduce the city’s air pollution.
Green roofs are increasingly being installed on schools and other buildings in the megalopolis of 21 million people to absorb smog and metal particles in the air. More than 236,000 sf of green roofs adorn the environment about the cityscape as the government continues to invest in the concept.
Last year, Mexico City spent almost $1million on the green roofs project, bringing the total area of green roofs in hospitals, schools and government buildings. This year, the investment is expected to rise by a third.
Unhealthy air can be so severe, that the government sometimes imposes a no-driving ban for a percentage of vehicles identified by license plate color or numbers. The city has made progress in removing air pollutants by moving refineries outside city limits and introducing cleaner buses, but more needs to be done, officials say.
(http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/apr/24/mexico-city-roof-gardens-pollution-smog)
Related Stories
| Nov 26, 2012
How to boost resilient systems that are sustainable
Cities of the future can be both more resilient and more sustainable by promoting strategies that include solar power and green roofs, programs that minimize demand for energy, rain gardens, and permeable pavement.
| Nov 26, 2012
Developer of nation’s first LEED platinum skyscraper focuses on carbon reduction
The Durst Organization, the developer of the first LEED platinum certified skyscraper in the country, says it will not seek LEED certification for its residential pyramid planned for New York’s West 57th Street.
| Nov 26, 2012
Questions linger over ability of Miami's newer high-rises to withstand hurricanes
Some towers in Miami, rebuilt after a hurricane in 2005, were allowed to be constructed under older building codes instead of newer ones created after Hurricane Wilma.
| Nov 26, 2012
Changes in development and building standards needed for health of Potomac River
The Potomac River’s health stands to suffer if the region does not change its development and building standards, according to the Potomac Conservancy.
| Nov 16, 2012
South Dakota prefers LEED over building code on state projects
“(LEED is) much better than a mandatory building code because you get a little wiggle room in these projects,” said Mike Mueller, a spokesman for the South Dakota Bureau of Administration.
| Nov 16, 2012
AAMA publishes quality assurance guidelines for Polyamide Thermal Barriers
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has published QAG-2-12, Voluntary Quality Assurance Processing Guide for Polyamide Thermal Barriers.
| Nov 16, 2012
New ANSI/BIFMA standards developed for educational seating
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the newly developed safety and performance standard for educational seating: ANSI/BIFMA X6.1-2012—the first of its kind.
