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M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | 27 Green Roofs & Walls P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y ZI N CO C A N A DA I N C . Green roofs and walls are redefining Canada's urban landscape by NATALIE BRUCKNER T he rising interest in green roofs and walls across Canada goes beyond mere compliance with regulations. It reflects a profound shift in urban thinking, recognizing the crucial roles of biodi- versity and effective stormwater management in our cities. Despite supply chain disruptions and inflation, green roofs continue to gain significant traction, marking a five to 10 percent growth in North America, according to Steven Peck, founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. This steady growth is exemplified by Toronto's recent achievement, marking the installation of over 1,000 green roofs within the city. Peck highlights this upward trajectory, empha- sizing the blossoming interest in biodiverse roofs and the recent integration of bifacial solar panels with green roof structures for greater energy production. Peck also highlights a crucial but less-discussed aspect: the significant role of green roofs in combatting climate change, particularly regarding property damage from wildfires. "Green roofs, particularly substrates, have demon- strated exceptional efficacy in shielding buildings from fires, surpassing even some waterproofing measures. Several studies conducted at Laval University support the claim that irrigated green roofs offer substantial fire protection. Surprisingly, this information remains largely absent from mainstream discus- sion when it comes to adapting to wildfire threats," notes Peck. Moreover, as discussions on the overlooked benefits of green roofs persist, Peck directs attention to a broader global shift. This shift is exemplified by policies like the UK's Environment 2021 Bill, mandating Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in new developments. According to Peck, these policy changes represent a pivotal moment, potentially setting a global precedent for transformative policy approaches ahead. "If the footprint of your project is 5,000 square metres, then these policies require at least an equal amount of quality greenspace be incorpo- rated into the overall design," he explains. A Blooming Marvel BIODIVERSIT Y & TECH Over at ZinCo, the team is also seeing a surge in popularity of biodiverse roofs, which is marked by a substantial move from soilless setups to six-inch soil beds housing perennials and native grasses for diverse habitats. "This is being driven by the new Toronto Green Roof Construction Standard [TGRCS] that requires plant species to be a minimum 50 percent native species from a regionally appropriate seed source. That's good news for us because at ZinCo we are geared towards native and biodiversity," explains Stephen Seccareccia, business development and project manager at ZinCo. ZinCo is also witnessing other emerging trends such as blue roofs, podiums and amenity gardens, as well as the integration of green roofs with solar panels. According to Seccareccia, "the decreasing price per KW hour for solar energy has driven its integration onto rooftops, notably on numerous government buildings, aligning with the federal green building mandate." ZinCo has been instrumental in several remarkable projects lately, notably the St. Lawrence Market Redevelopment, where they implemented the ZinCo Georaster system enabling green roofs on slopes exceeding 20 degrees (the St. Lawrence Market has a 45-degree slope to it). Another standout is the 1090 West Pender project in Vancouver, boasting North America's tallest 35-storey sloped roof. This year, ZinCo's slate includes the King Condos in Toronto, praised as an urban forest with a tree on every terrace, creating a forest that ascends into the sky. Additionally, there's involvement in the LiUNA Headquarters in Vaughan and the Oakridge Mall Redevelopment. "Roofs are evolving into assets for devel- opers, with the integration of solar energy and blueroofs for water storage. The financial incentives for green or blue roofs are becoming increasingly apparent. It's going to be an exciting year," says Seccareccia. With extreme climate events on the rise bringing with them floods and heat waves, Soprema has responded accordingly and introduced the Skywater systems. Soprema's Skywater systems are tailored to meet North America's specific norms and environmental hurdles. Take the ballasted blue roof system, for instance. It utilizes Sopraretentio Boards to temporarily hold rainwater, easing pressure on municipal sewers. Similarly, the plaza deck blue roof, featuring Sopraflow Control, not only manages water flow but also crafts usable rooftop areas. Roxanne Miller, director at Sopranature Canada, foresees installations of the Skywater kicking off within the next year. St. Lawrence Market Redevelopment, Toronto, ON

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