26.9 Making Connections

BUILDING GREEN

Background: Poor air quality, excessive runoff, and lack of green space are all major problems in urban areas. One solution that helps address all three issues is green roofs.

Case: You are a resident of Toronto, one of the most urbanized areas of Canada. Smog from both urban and industrial sources impacts air quality, and residents have asked the city to investigate whether Toronto would benefit from green roof technology. As a member of the consulting firm that the city has hired to assess this possibility, your job is to investigate the pros and cons of green roofs in Toronto and to make recommendations for how and where to install them to have the best outcomes. Your three-part report must also address the triple bottom line.

1. In Part 1, summarize the history of green roofs in Toronto, briefly outlining:
   1. the current area covered by green roofs in Toronto (known as the areal extent).
   2. where these green roofs are located and who has installed them.
   3. the cost of installing these green roofs.
2. In Part 2, summarize the potential for green roofs in Toronto, noting:
   1. the different green roof types that are available, and which is best in this area.
   2. the potential areal extent that could be converted to green roofs.
   3. target companies and organizations that could be approached to implement green roof technology.
   4. the cost of installing a typical green roof.
3. In Part 3, present a triple bottom line analysis of green roof technology in Toronto, making sure to include all the pros and cons for each of the three areas.