The city of Utrecht in the Netherlands is planning to green the rooftops of its buildings, and has agreed to the construction of a luxury apartment tower that will host 10,000 plants on its facade. As an alternative to plants and mosses, some buildings will have solar panels installed instead, as part of the city’s ‘no roofs unused’ policy that aims to increase biodiversity and the wellbeing of its citizens.
Utrecht has already carried out similar work on its more than 300 bus stops – fitting them out with sedum-covered roofs, solar panels, LED lighting and bamboo seating, with the bases made from recycled concrete. The city wants all public transport to be sustainable by 2028, using only electric buses using power generated by wind facilities.
The new plan is a big leap forward from this, with the exterior of the new apartment block alone hosting the equivalent of one hectare of plants and woodland when it is completed in 2022. The city gives grants to homeowners who want to green the roofing of their houses, covering up to 50% of the cost, and from 2021 it will be mandatory for building owners to carry out this work.
As well as encouraging birds, bees and insects such as butterflies to return to the city, the greening will absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen – with the 200-apartment tower alone predicted to absorb more than 5 tons of CO2 annually while generating over 40 tons of O2.
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The city of Utrecht in the Netherlands is planning to green the rooftops of its buildings, and has agreed to the construction of a luxury apartment tower that will host 10,000 plants on its facade. As an alternative to plants and mosses, some buildings will have solar panels installed instead, as part of the city’s ‘no roofs unused’ policy that aims to increase biodiversity and the wellbeing of its citizens.
Utrecht has already carried out similar work on its more than 300 bus stops – fitting them out with sedum-covered roofs, solar panels, LED lighting and bamboo seating, with the bases made from recycled concrete. The city wants all public transport to be sustainable by 2028, using only electric buses using power generated by wind facilities.
The new plan is a big leap forward from this, with the exterior of the new apartment block alone hosting the equivalent of one hectare of plants and woodland when it is completed in 2022. The city gives grants to homeowners who want to green the roofing of their houses, covering up to 50% of the cost, and from 2021 it will be mandatory for building owners to carry out this work.
As well as encouraging birds, bees and insects such as butterflies to return to the city, the greening will absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen – with the 200-apartment tower alone predicted to absorb more than 5 tons of CO2 annually while generating over 40 tons of O2.