Green Roofs Grow in an Urban Jungle
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 11:37AM 
The green roof market has recently taken off in New York City due to their environmental benefits, energy savings, and a strong tax-incentive plan introduced by the Bloomberg Administration. The plan was primarily launched as a way to protect New York City’s combined sewer system from frequent storm water overflows. This occurs during storms with heavy rainfall and cause the discharge of polluted, nutrient rich water into NYC waterways. The water holding capacity of green-roofs, provides a solution.
The tax abatement initiative, introduced in August 2008, allows building owners to apply for a one-time tax credit of up to $100,000 (or $4.50 per square foot). In order to comply, a green roof must cover at least 50% of a new or existing roof, with a minimum of 1,000 square feet. Depending on the type of green roof, this can decrease the cost of installation by as much as 25%. Initial cost for building green roofs is the main deterrent from installation. This tax incentive provides significant cost savings. However, this is not the only economic benefit to building a green roof system.
Building owners can see a significant reduction in energy costs and consumption by as much as 30%, in some cases. An exposed roof has a longer life span if it is a green roof. The additional layers prevent nature’s elements; such as rainwater, UV light, and wind, from damaging the exposed rooftop. Finally, the aesthetic component of a green roof, increases property value. Green roofs provide environmental and ecological benefits in urban areas and beyond. They reduce the urban heat island effect through evapotranspiration (the combined effects of evaporation with plant transpiration); create a biomimicry of natural ecologies, by providing a habitat for migrating birds, butterflies, bees, and other insects. Most importantly, green roofs slow down, if not prevent storm water from entering New York City's fragile combined sewer system.
As a result of green roofs' many environmental benefits, they are being installed and retrofitted to new and existing buildings and rooftops at a rapidly increasing rate. In a city with over 60 square miles of impervious roads and rooftops, green roofs can and will play a crucial role in merging urban areas with natural environments.
By Eric Dalski, Founder, Highview Creations
Highview Creations was established in December of 2009 in an effort to promote, build, and educate people in New York City about the benefits of Green Roofs, Green Walls, and other ecological innovations. With several green roof installations and educational programs planned for the 2010 planting season, the company is fulfilling its goal in creating awareness and creating natural habitat in an unnatural environment.
