The mayor of Montreal's Saint-Laurent borough wants Quebec's housing authority to speed up its plan to publish construction guidelines for green roofs. Housing authority Régie du bâtiment has yet to publish the standards. Without them, green roof projects in Montreal are subject to a six-month approval process.
Mayor Alan De Sousa says he has negotiated with developers to ensure that all new construction involves green roofs, and he wants the Régie du bâtiment to draft and publish its guidelines before that progress is lost. The current National Building Code of Canada does not include guidelines for green roofs. Each province is responsible for developing rules governing vegetative roofs.
Owen Rose, an architect and member of the Montreal Urban Ecology Centre, says regulations are making it increasingly difficult to include green roofs on new projects. "We shouldn't be building green roofs for Florida hurricanes, San Francisco earthquakes and Japanese tsunamis; we're living in Montreal, we have to adapt to our local climate," Rose told CBC news.
Montreal has granted some exceptions for the construction of green roofs for certain developments, including buildings that are less than three stories, residences under nine units, and some small commercial buildings. But on taller residential buildings, the Régie du bâtiment has the final say.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 6, 2017
Registration now open for Canada’s first Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) program
Standard is designed to be applicable across many types of new and existing buildings.
Codes and Standards | Nov 6, 2017
AIA releases new architect commissioning document
It will be used with the standard form for owner/consultant contracts.
Codes and Standards | Nov 2, 2017
ASHRAE releases new version of Thermal Comfort Standard
Update includes calculations from direct solar radiation.
Codes and Standards | Nov 1, 2017
Drone users can now get instant authorization from FAA
Skyward offers app to receive permission for low altitude flights.
Codes and Standards | Oct 31, 2017
Real estate giant launches global tenant health and wellness certification initiative
Tishman Speyer will use Fitwel health certification system to guide building improvements.
Codes and Standards | Oct 30, 2017
AIA revises architect scope documents in latest contract form release
Design-bid-build forms last updated in 2007.
Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2017
Boston’s Old South Church asks tower developer for $19 million for casting shade
Request highlights ongoing conflict between developers and residents over right to sunshine.
Codes and Standards | Oct 24, 2017
Asphalt roofing design guide now available in digital form
Recently updated Modified Bitumen Design Guide can be viewed on smartphones and tablets.
Codes and Standards | Oct 23, 2017
Energy efficiency investments on the rise; will increase next year
Survey of facility management executives shows onsite renewables, energy storage will spike in 2018.
Codes and Standards | Oct 20, 2017
AIA contract document updates include new BIM, digital data provisions
Documents are structurally different from 2007, 2008 versions.