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Green Acres over Atlanta

Green roofs are a critical step in the journey towards a greener future for Atlanta. Green roofs are important for many reasons including:

  • Reducing extreme hot summer temperatures in the city center
  • Cleaning the air by increasing greenery in the urban core
  • Lessening the stormwater load on our sewer system
  • Creating a peaceful retreat from traffic and noise

The Mayor and City Council showed great environmental leadership with the green roof installation outside City Hall's fifth floor cafeteria back in 2003.

City%20Hall%20Green%20Roof.jpg

Southface Institute will soon follow suit with a green roof atop their soon-to-be-completed EcoOffice. I participated in the installation of the roof during one of their volunteer work days. You'll notice the following picture depicts a roof that is very blue. This is because on the day I volunteered we were installing the sub-roof system which consists of blue sheets of foam board insulation layered over a waterproof membrane. The soil system and plants will go on top of the insulation.

One of the benefits of a green roof is greater energy-efficiency of the building due to a better insulated roof. 

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As Atlanta's EcoCity evolution progresses and buildings undergo greenovation, perhaps we'll even see a few green walls...

city%20green%20wall.jpg

And the buildings will begin to sprout trees...

green%20building%20Vienna.jpg

Rooftops have been described as the forgotten landscape. As the city evolves into a deeper shade of green we may even see roofs that actually merge with the landscape...

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Posted on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 04:30PM by Registered CommenterBurke Sisco | Comments1 Comment

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Reader Comments (1)

Hey just stopping by to get my dose of green info. Always good stuff here! I am trying to compile a list of stuff I can do to reduce my carbon emissions. MTV had a commercial about it, and got me interested. I have been to www.earthlab.com and they have a ton of tips but I was mostly impressed by their page where they have their users send in tips: http://www.earthlab.com/life/tips.aspx Does anyone else know of other data bases that I can find these types of small things that lower my emissions? EPA or WWF maybe?

Thanks for all your info and drop me a link if you guys see anything worth my time.
March 14, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAdrian

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