Roof as Emerging Important Urban Element

Some 20 years ago, when some proposed roof garden or roof landscaping to be incorporated in building code, most of planners, designers and policy makers did not listen. They were suspicious about asthetic and engineering aspect of roottop landscaping (trees on the roof would look awkward, water might leak, heavy soil could cause structural problem, etc). Building roof is now becoming an important element of urban planning, design and architecture. Environmentally, roof landscaping is regarded as a practical way to reduce the heat island phenomenon. Aesthetically, roof garden is well accepted as a semi-public or private open space. Further, urban farming on the roof space is becoming increasingly popular, as more urban dwellers want organic vegetables for their health.

o Green roofs for Healthy Cities
o Green roofs for Singapore