economic benefits of green spaces

Serves as economic development tool 3. The planting medium usually ranges between 2-4”, and minimal vegetation is used to limit roof loads and maintenance needs. Another opposing argument is the effectiveness of green roofs. 0000001543 00000 n

By encouraging the participation of both the municipality and the community, we hope to make sustainability part of every city’s Official Plan.When it comes to green roofs like any innovative technology, you are going to face opposition. 0000041440 00000 n In the process, unwanted contaminants are collected in the runoff and directed into the sewage systems as well (Xie et. 0000055487 00000 n The initial estimated costs of installing a green roof start at $10 per square foot for simpler extensive roofing, and $25 per square foot for intensive roofs. Commercial buildings are ideal for intensive green roofs because they have higher roof loads that allow for human activity and higher abundance of materials. 0000014530 00000 n 0000015768 00000 n Intensive green roofs range from 6-10” of soil with vegetation, while extensive green roofs range from 2-4” and have minimal vegetation.

The storm water collects pollutants as it runs down the buildings and flows along these impervious surfaces. Another study by the Virginia Cooperative Extension (2009) claimed that psychologists have found that access to plants and green spaces provides a sense of rest and allows workers to be more productive, thus bringing in more money for the companyThe physical health benefits that come from green roofs and planters boxes are mostly respiratory, and again, hard to give a monetary value. 0000013852 00000 n This makes it so that owners have no choice of not using green roofs, whether it is for a preference of other sustainable rooftop system or opposition due to cost. With the levels of energy consumption and pollution that are a result of our urban environments, we need standards in place to assure we are working towards a more sustainable future. As polluted water makes its way to the oceans, water quality can be affected, which often results in the closing of local beaches due to unhealthy water conditions. 0000017619 00000 n Adopting policies that advocate for the green industry and green spaces in Springfield, MA would improve the economy and environmental health of the city and its inhabitants. A “sink” is a naturally occurring part of the environment that absorbs gases and particulates from the air, with the largest being the worlds oceans and vegetation (“Trees Reduce Air Pollution”, 2011). This again is dependent on the type of green roof and the consistency.The hidden and more indirect benefits of having green spaces that we cannot put a price tag on, is our health. �(X��UR��M�#�l��Z�u��K��"X�Q��?�V��[>��$�ȓ\Qam��Խ�� N�eg0QN�u7a��$q~/ǈpM�/��+��L�5�QU�FRy'�[�T��K�D�Bf�T�\��`6S��IW\(��9��Ͽ�(_��ٻ�J�ƾ��`v>�°b0�h ��H�C$�VF@mM�X��OƝMh~�B�R �Z��w��)��;�Dh�W�ݬ2��t}��Ɓ@��0 g12cw�JҰp`� /�=M��w��k��59 �.9z��)��r%6UKw�FB�q��V7��0!Hc��ä��7~�5ZE��ީ`U')�wP! Swimming in polluted waters can make you sick. The additional aesthetic benefit of the green space is attributive to its other functions. Also during 2009, Council adopted the City’s Green Roof By-law, making Toronto the first City in North America to have a by-law to require and govern the construction of green roofs on new development. Trees of Strength. 0000051194 00000 n The green industry is one of the fastest growing segments of the nation’s agricultural economy and has produced roughly 1,964,339 jobs, according to a USDA-funded research report (Hall, Haydu, & Hodges, 2011). (2012). (2014).Retrieved fromHilary, D. (2010, July 31). 0000001641 00000 n 0000015194 00000 n Economic Fact Sheet- Project Evergreen, a non-profit organization committed to preserving and enhancing green spaces in our communities, created an Economic Fact Sheet that describes the financial benefits of green spaces.. City Parks and Economic Development- The American Planning Association published a briefing paper that summarizes …