Green Roofs
Tracer Bullet 06-1
Green roofs, widely implemented in Germany, Switzerland, and
other European countries, as well as in Canada, are becoming
increasingly well known in the United States. Green roofs can
help to counteract the effect of impervious surfaces in urban
areas. Impervious surfaces, including sidewalks, roads, rooftops,
parking lots, and runways, are usually constructed of impenetrable
materials such as asphalt, concrete and stone, which repel water
and prevent precipitation from seeping into soil. Because approximately
40 percent of the impervious surface area in our cities is located
on rooftops, vegetated rooftops can have an important beneficial
impact on the urban environment by reducing and controlling stormwater
runoff. Green roofs act as filters for both air and water. They
can also play an important role in reducing energy consumption
for both heating and cooling, and in reducing the effects of
urban heat islands. In addition, green roofs can contribute public
green spaces to cities.
This guide is not intended as a comprehensive bibliography,
but highlights selected works and resources about green roofs.
Many of these works are available in the Science reference collection
in the Science and Business Reading Room, which is located on
the fifth floor of the Adams Building at the Library of Congress.
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Bass, Brad. Rooftop gardens. In Encyclopedia of global
environmental change. v. 3. Chichester, New York, Wiley, c2002.
p. 356-362.
GE149.E443 2002 <SciRR>
Grant, Gary, Luke Engleback, and Barry Nicholson. Green roofs:
their existing status and potential for conserving biodiversity
in urban areas. Produced for English Nature by EcoSchemes,
Ltd., c2003. 61 p. (English Nature Research Report No. 498)
Available online at:http://www.english-nature.org.uk/news/news_photo/Greenroofs.pdf
Green roofs: research advice note. London, British Council for
Offices, 2003. 12 p.
Pamphlet box <SciRR>
Available online at: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation
Chicago’s green rooftops: a guide to rooftop gardening.
Chicago, Department of the
Environment, 2001. 9 p.
Pamphlet box <SciRR>
Available online at:
http://egov.cityofchicago.org/webportal/COCWebPortal/COC_ATTACH/GuidetoRooftopGardening_v2.pdf
Wulkan, Bruce, Steve Tilley, and Toni Droscher. Green roofs: Justice
Center green
roof, City of Seattle. In Natural approaches to stormwater management: low
impact
development in Puget Sound. Olympia, WA, Puget Sound Action Team, 2003.
p. 24-25.
Pamphlet box <SciRR>
Available online at: http://www.psat.wa.gov/Publications/LID_studies/green_roofs.htm
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Subject headings used by the Library of Congress, under which
works on green roofs can be located include the following:
Highly Relevant
GREEN ROOFS
Relevant
ARCHITECTURE--ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
BUILDINGS--ENERGY CONSERVATION
BUILDINGS--ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
ROOF GARDENING
URBAN HEAT ISLAND
URBAN RUNOFF
Related
BUILDINGS--ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
CITY PLANNING--ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
COMPOST
DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS
HYDROPONICS
MEMBRANES (TECHNOLOGY)
PLANT GROWING MEDIA
SEDUMS
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS--ARCHITECTURE
SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS--DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
URBAN ECOLOGY
URBANIZATION--ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
VERTICAL GARDENING
XERISCAPING
XEROPHYTES
MORE GENERAL
AIR POLLUTION
ENERGY CONSERVATION
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Dunnett, Nigel, and Noel Kingsbury. Planting green roofs and
living walls. Portland, OR, Timber Press, 2004. 254 p.
SB419.5.D85 2004 <SciRR>
Bibliography: p. 245-249.
Green roofs: ecological design and construction. Earth Pledge. Atglen, PA, Schiffer
Pub., c2005. 158 p.
SB419.5.G76 2005 <SciRR>
Bibliography: p. 149-153.
Osmundson, Theodore. Roof gardens: history, design, and construction.
New York,
W. W. Norton, c1999. 318 p.
SB419.5.O75 1999 <SciRR>
Bibliography: p. 308-310.
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Big & green: toward sustainable architecture in the 21st
century. Edited by David Gissen. New York, Princeton Architectural
Press; Washington, National Building Museum, 2003. 192 p.
NA2542.36.B54 2003
Innovative urban wet-weather flow management systems. Edited
by Richard Field, James P. Heaney, and Robert Pitt. Lancaster,
PA, Technomic Pub. Co., c2000. 535 p.
Includes bibliographies.
TD657.I5 2000
Integrating city planning and environmental improvement:
practicable strategies for sustainable urban development. Edited by Donald
Miller and Gert de Roo. 2nd ed. Aldershot, Hants, Eng., Brookfield,
VT, Ashgate, c2004. 336 p.
Includes bibliographies.
HT241.I5825 2004
Mendler, Sandra, William Odell, and Mary Ann Lazarus. The
HOK guidebook to sustainable design. Hoboken, Wiley, 2006. 464 p.
NA2542.35M46 2006 <SciRR>
NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Enhancing Urban Environment: Environmental
Upgrading of Municipal Pollution Control Facilities and Restoration of Urban
Waters. Enhancing urban environment by environmental upgrading and restoration. Edited
by Jiri Marsalek and others. Dordrecht, Boston, Kluwer Academic Publishers,
c2004. 394 p.
Includes bibliographies.
TD657.N4 2004
Sajeva, Maurizio, and Mariangela Costanzo. Succulents II: the new illustrated
dictionary.
Portland, OR, Timber Press, 2000. 234 p.
Bibliography: p. 232-234.
SB438.S293 2000
Spiegel, Ross, and Dru Meadows. Green building materials:
a guide to product selection and specification. 2nd ed. Hoboken, Wiley & Sons,
2006. 322 p.
TH455.S65 2006 <SciRR>
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SELECTED TECHNICAL REPORTS AND GOVERNMENT
PUBLICATIONS |
Most reports listed below are available in the
microform collection of the Science Reading Room. These and other
reports are sold by the National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161. NTIS
telephone: (703) 605-6585. NTIS web site:
http://www.ntis.gov
Federal technology alert: green roofs . U.S. Dept. of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy (EERE). Washington, Federal Energy Management Program,
Sept. 2004. 26 p.
Pamphlet box <SciRR>
DOE/EE-0298
Available online at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/femp/
King, V. J., and C. Davis. Isolating and managing urban heat
islands effect for
selected Southeastern cities. Orangeburg, SC, South Carolina State University
Transportation Center. Washington, Office of Research and Special Programs,
Dept. of Transportation, May 2004. 86 p.
PB2004-106797
Also available online as Isolating and managing urban heat islands in
selected Southern cities, at:
http://www.utc.scsu.edu/Research/Reports/2002/heat_island.htm
Morgan, B. J. Evaluation of vegetated roofing technology: application at
Air Force Plant Four, Building 15. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, Air Force Institute
of Technology, 2004. 142 p.
ADA-422925
Vegetated roof cover: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Washington,
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Oct. 2000. 3
p.
Pamphlet box <SciRR>
Report Number: EPA-841-B-00-005 D
Available online at: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS50931
Zhou, Nan, and others. Validation of the thermal effect of
roof-spraying and green plants in an insulated building. Berkeley, CA, Lawrence
Berkeley Lab; Washington, Department of Energy, 2004. 12 p.
Presented at SimBuild 2004, IBPSA-USA National Conference,
Boulder,CO, August 4-6, 2004. DE2004-833572
Available online at: http://der.lbl.gov/presentations.html
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ASTM Standards
ASTM International, originally known as the American Society for Testing and
Materials, is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations
in the world. The Annual Book of ASTM Standards can be consulted in the Science
Reference collection of the Library of Congress. ASTM standards can also be
purchased through ASTM International at: http://www.astm.org
See especially v. 4.12 for standards related to green roofs.
ASTM International. Annual book of ASTM standards. West Conshohocken, PA, ASTM
International, c2002-
TA401.A653 <SciRR>
Selected ASTM standards related to green roofs include:
ASTM: E2397-05. Standard practice for determination of dead loads
and live loads associated with green roof systems. ASTM book
of standards, v. 04-12, 2005.
TA401.A653 <SciRR>
ASTM: E2396-05. Standard test method for saturated water permeability
of granulated drainage media (falling-head method) for green roof
systems. ASTM book of standards, v. 04-12, 2005.
TA401.A653 <SciRR>
ASTM: E-2398-05. Standard test method for water capture and media retention
of geocomposite drain layers for green roof systems. ASTM book of standards,
v. 04-12, 2005.
TA401.A653 <SciRR>
BOCA Codes, International Code Council (ICC)
Building Officials and Code Administrators International Inc. (BOCA), now known
as the International Code Council, publishes codes that establish minimum performance
requirements for all aspects of the construction industry. BOCA codes at the
Library of Congress are located in the Law Library Reading Room. Some state
codes are available at no cost through the eCodes sections of the ICC Website,
while others must be purchased:
http://www.iccsafe.org/
FLL Guidelines
Guidelines for the planning, execution and upkeep of green-roof sites. (Richlinien
für die Planung, Ausfhrüng and Plege von Dachbegrnüng). The
2002 edition of these widely consulted guidelines is available in English,
from the German organization responsible, the Research Society for Landscape
Development and Landscape Design, (Forschungsgesellschaft and schaftsentwicklung
Landschaftsbau eV). Also available through the U.S. source listed below:
http://www.f-l-l.de/
http://www.roofmeadow.com/technical/fll.shtml
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national
standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED standards
are available through the U.S. Green Building Council:
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19
Low Impact Development (LID) Urban Design Tools
LID technology is an alternative comprehensive approach to stormwater management.
This page from the Low Impact Development Center has links to Integrated
Management Practices (IMP) standards and specifications:
http://www.lid-stormwater.net/
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Dissertations can be identified by using online resources
or the following indexes located in the Main Reading Room. Consult
any
reference
librarian about options. Some dissertations may be available in
full text through electronic resources on public terminals at the
Library of Congress.
Comprehensive Dissertation Index. Supplement. (1973- annual)
Z5053.X47a
Dissertation Abstracts International (1938- monthly)
Z5053.D57
Digital Dissertations (1980-)
Electronic resource
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Cunningham, Neil Raymond. Rethinking the urban
epidermis: a study of the viability of extensive green roof systems
in the
Manitoba capital with an emphasis on regional case studies and
stormwater management. Ann Arbor, MI, UMI, 2001.
Collation of the original: 270 p.
Thesis (masters)--University of Toronto, 2001.
UMI publication number AAT MQ62714 <MicRR>
Saiz Alcazar, Susana. Greening the dwelling: a life cycle energy analysis
of green roofs in residential buildings. Ann Arbor, MI, UMI, 2004.
Collation of the original: 157 p.
Thesis (masters)--University of Toronto, 2004.
UMI publication number AAT MQ95249 <MicRR>
Streutker, David Richard. A study of the urban heat island of Houston,
Texas.
Ann Arbor, MI, UMI, 2003.
Collation of the original: 146 p.
Thesis (doctoral)--Rice University, 2003
UMI publication number AAT 3090184 <MicRR>
VanWoert, Nicholaus Douglas. Stormwater retention and water use by extensive
green roofs. Ann Arbor, MI, UMI, 2004.
Collation of the original: 113 p.
Thesis (masters)--Michigan State University, 2004.
UMI publication number AAT 1420013 <MicRR>
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Abstracting and Indexing Services that index relevant
journal articles and other literature on green roofs are listed
below. Consult reading room reference staff in order to access
abstracting and indexing services in electronic format on the public
terminals in the reading rooms at the Library of Congress.
Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals (1930-)
Z5945.C653 and Electronic format
Bibliography of Agriculture, AGRICOLA (1942-)
Z5073.U572 <SciRR> and Electronic format
Online in LC: National
Agricultural Library
Applied Science and Technology Abstracts (ASTA)
Z7913.I7 <SciRR> and Electronic Format
Online in LC: First Search's OCLC
Biological and Agricultural Index, BioAg Index (1916-)
Z5073.A46 <SciRR> and Electronic format
Online in LC: First Search's OCLC
Garden Literature Index
Electronic format
Online in LC: EBSCO
National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
Electronic format
Online in LC: CSA
Environmental Sciences and Pollution Management
Electronic format
Online in LC: CSA
Environmental Issues and Policy Index
Electronic format
Online in LC: EBSCO
GEOBASE
Electronic format
Online in LC: First
Search's OCLC
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Journals that often contain articles relevant to green roofs include
the following:
Architectural Record |
NA1.A6 |
BioCycle |
S661.C6 |
E: the Environmental Magazine |
TD171.7.E13 |
Ecological Engineering |
GE350.E25 |
Energy & Buildings |
TJ163.5.B84E523 |
Environmental Design & Construction |
TH1.E54 |
Environmental Health Perspectives |
RA565.A1E13 |
Environmental Quality Management |
TD194.T68 |
The Garden |
SB4.R8 |
Green Places |
SB469.L33 |
HortScience |
SB317.5.H675 |
Landscape and Urban Planning |
HT166.L33 |
Landscape Architecture |
SB473.L347 |
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Calkins, M. Strategy, use and challenges of ecological design
in landscape architecture. Landscape and urban planning, v. 73,
Aug. 15, 2005: 29-48.
HT166.L33
Curtis, Doug. It’s alive! Sustainability news, spring 2005:
7-8.
Pamphlet Box <SciRR>
http://www.nature.nps.gov/sustainabilityNews/
Eisenmen, Theodore. Chicago’s green crown. Landscape architecture, v.
94, Nov. 2004: 106-113.
SB473.L347
Lubbell, Sam. Big and green: one of the tallest buildings in
Manhattan will also be eco-friendly. Architectural record, v. 192,
Aug. 2004: 30.
NA1.A6
Meadows, Dru. ASTM International and Sustainable Development
keeping pace with a new global market. ASTM standardization
news,
v. 32, Apr. 2004: 30-33.
TA368.A517
Sherman, Rhonda. Compost plays key role in green roof mixes. BioCycle, v. 46,
Mar. 2005: 29-33.
S661.C6
Shufro, Cathy. Living roofs. E: the environmental magazine, v.
16, July/Aug. 2005: 18- 21.
TD171.7.E13
Taylor, Tess. Sky lawn. Architecture, v. 92, July 2003: 71-72.
NA1.A326
Theodosiou, Theodore G. Summer period analysis of a planted roof
as a passive cooling technique. Energy & buildings, v. 35,
Oct. 2003: 909-917.
TJ163.5.B84E523
Velazquez, Linda S. Organic greenroof architecture: design considerations
and system components. Environmental quality management, v. 15,
Autumn 2005: 61-71.
TD194.T68
VanWoert, Nicholaus D., and others. Watering regime and green roof substrate
design affect sedum plant growth. HortScience, v. 40, June 2005: 659-674.
SB317.5.H675
Villarreal, E. L., A. Semadeni-Davies, and L. Bengtsson. Inner
city stormwater control using a combination of best management
practices. Ecological engineering, v. 22, July 2004: 279-298.
GE350.E25
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Selected Materials available in the Science Reading Room pamphlet
boxes include: Boxwood of Seattle, and Roofscapes Inc. Vegetated
roof design specification example.
Appendix 9. In Low impact development technical guidance manual for Puget
Sound. Olympia, WA, Puget Sound Action Team; Washington State University
Pierce County
Extension, 2005. p. 225-229.
Frazer, Lance. Paving paradise: the peril of impervious surfaces. Environmental
health perspectives, v. 113, July 2005: A456-462.
Available online at: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYP/is_7_113/ai_n14924799
Green roof feasibility review, King County office project. Seattle,
Palladino & Co., Inc., 2004. 10 p.
Impervious surface reduction: green rooftops. In Minnesota
urban small sites best practice management manual. St. Paul, MN, Metropolitan
Council, 2003. p.3.29-3.34.
Available online at: http://www.metrocouncil.org/environment/Watershed/BMP/CH3_RPPImpGreenRoof.pdf
Kuhn, Monica, and Steven Peck. Design guidelines for green
roofs.
Ontario, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Ontario
Association of Architects, 2003. 22 p.
Available online at:
http://www.cmhc.ca/en/inpr/bude/himu/coedar/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=70146
Multnomah County green roof project. In Stormwater demonstration
project reports. Portland, OR, Portland Bureau of Environmental
Services, December 2004. 7p.
Available online at:
http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=78291
Use of vegetated roof covers in runoff management. Philadelphia,
Roofscapes, Inc., 2002. 5 p.
Available online at:
http://www.roofscapes.com/PDF/Runoff_Management.pdf
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Information and Projects from Local, State, and Federal
Government Agencies
Boston City Hall Green Roof Project
Press release, September 2003, describes the Boston project.
http://www.cityofboston.gov/bra/press/PressDisplay.asp?pressID=285
Chicago City Hall Green Roof
American Society of Landscape Architects, 2002 Merit Award - Design winner.
http://www.asla.org/meetings/awards/awds02/chicagocityhall.html
Chicago Green Roofs
Search for Green Roofs to view a matrix of related sites from the city of Chicago.
http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/home.do
City Hall Greenroof, City of Atlanta Online
The first city-owned green roof in the Southeast.
http://www.atlantaga.gov/mayor/energyconservationgreenroof.aspx
Green Roof, Cleveland Environmental Center
Description and pictures of the Cleveland Environmental Center project.
http://www.clevelandgbc.org/cec/components_roof_greenroof.html
Green Roof, Falls Church, VA
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation project at a condominium
site.
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/sw/docs/greenroofffx.pdf
Green Roof Examples
From the U.S. General Services Administration, examples of green roofs on Government
buildings.
http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/channelView.do?pageTypeId=8195&channelId=-16607
Green Roof Feasibility Review
Prepared by Palladino & Co. for the King County Office Project, King County,
Washington.
http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/greenbuilding/documents/KCGreenRoofStudy_Final.pdf
Green Roof Project, Albemarle County, Virginia
Pictures and a brief description of the project, completed in July 2005.
http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=planning&relpage=6879
Green Roof Projects for City Buildings, City of Alexandria,
Virginia
Description of green roof projects for several city buildings.
http://alexandriava.gov/fyi_alexandria/apr_05/fyi_alexandria5.html
Heat Island Effect: Green Roofs
Basics on green roofs, with some illustrations and examples, from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/strategies/greenroofs.html
Heat Island Group
The Heat Island Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory conducts research
on the summer warming trends occurring in urban areas, the so-called 'heat
island' effect.
http://eetd.lbl.gov/HeatIsland/graphic.html
Pentagon Renovation and Construction
Includes several green roofs.
http://renovation.pentagon.mil/pac/sustainable.htm
Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
EcoRoof information and tours.
http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=34663
Stormwater Management and Green Roof Technology
From the Maryland Dept. of the Environment.
http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/Green%20Roof.pdf
Vegetated Roof Design Specification Example
Point Defiance Zoo, Tacoma, WA, from the Puget Sound Action Team, Washington.
http://www.psat.wa.gov
Organizations and Research Centers
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Green Roof
Project
http://www.asla.org/land/050205/greenroofcentral.html
Casey Trees Endowment: Green Roof Initiative
Works to preserve Washington, DC’s green infrastructure.
http://www.caseytrees.org/programs/greeninitiatives.html
Center for Green Roof Research at Penn State University
Information on research, news, industry, and many links.
http://hortweb.cas.psu.edu/research/greenroofcenter/
Earth Pledge Initiative: EPF Green Roofs
Supports vegetated rooftops in urban areas to prevent stormwater runoff pollution,
lower urban temperatures, and improve air quality.
http://www.earthpledge.org/GreenRoof.html
Green Roof Research Program at Michigan State University
Descriptions and photographs of several projects, along with a list of publications,
industry links, and other information.
http://www.hrt.msu.edu/greenroof/
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
Non-profit industry association site, with conference news and proceedings,
projects, and research.
http://www.greenroofs.org
International Green Roof Association
An international network, sharing information on green roof technology and
public relations.
http://www.igra-world.com/intro.html
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The center is conducting research
on using native drought tolerant plant species in extensive green
roofs.
http://www.wildflower.org/?nd=green_roof
N.C. State University Biological and Agricultural Engineering Green Roof Research
Research findings are available in .pdf format.
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/greenroofs/
Scandinavian Green Roof Institute
An introduction to green roofs, and history of Augustenborg’s Roof Garden,
Malmö, Sweden.
http://www.greenroof.se
Toronto Green Roofs
Study findings and other material.
http://www.toronto.ca/greenroofs/index.htm
U.S. Green Building Council
A coalition from across the building industry.
http://www.usgbc.org/
Other Internet Resources
ASTM Task Force Updates
Reports on standards from greenroofs.com, industry resource and information
portal.
http://www.greenroofs.com/astm_editor.htm
Earth and Sky: Green Roofs
Transcript of interview with green roof experts, and links to Web sites.
http://www.earthsky.org/earthcare/shows.php?s=o
Green Design Guides: Green Roofs
Guides provide basics on performance criteria, types, benefits, LEED impacts,
from the Green Roundtable.
http://www.greenroundtable.org/Green%20Design%20Guides/GDGuide_Green%20Roofs.PDF
GreenRoofs.com
Greenroof industry portal for resources and information.
http://www.greenroofs.com/
Livingroofs.org
Independent U.K. site promotes green roofs and provides information and advice.
http://livingroofs.org
National Public Radio: Story on Green Roofs
Includes links and photos.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1970286
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Thinking Green
Offers suggestions for homeowners, as well as many links, images, and audio.
http://www.naturemuseum.org/greenroof/index.html
Whole Building Design Guide
A web-based portal providing government and industry practitioners with information
from a whole buildings' perspective. This is a collaborative effort among
federal agencies, private sector companies, non-profit organizations and educational
institutions.
http://www.wbdg.org/
Compiled by Alison P. Kelly
January 2006 |