Modifying the Green Roof for Downunder

M, Liebman et al / The Sustainability Workshop/Verdaus Landscape Architecture/Enstruct

15/10/2012

Delivered at the 2012 National Stormwater Conference, this paper looks at the feasibility of extending the basic green roof concept into a new form where in addition to reducing the amount of runoff getting into our rivers and creeks, considers an alternative use of the green roof to provide other benefits. Specifically the paper focuses on a large food retailer distribution centre with a roof size of eight hectares and the feasibility of constructing a (green) rooftop urban farm that is irrigated with water harvested from the roof.

The paper considers the water balance required for the urban farm crop production, life cycle costs and the economies of scale, runoff reduction into the drainage system, and carbon emission reduction.