Manchester roof tops to go green
MANCHESTER City Council and the Commission for the New Economy have ordered a major study to determine the feasibility of creating green roof space in Greater Manchester.
Property agent Drivers Jonas and consultancy firm Aecom have been tasked with establishing the foundations of a city-wide Green Roof Programme.
A green or living roof incorporates vegetation into the roof of a building. Benefits are that they can help to protect the roof structure, improve insulation, reducing the risk of urban flooding, as well as enhancing air quality and biodiversity.
The study will assess the potential for introducing green roof space on new and existing properties before setting up a pilot scheme on five buildings in the South Manchester Corridor area – an economic development zone centered on the Oxford Road corridor in Manchester.
These first two phases will go on to inform planning and property investment policies across Greater Manchester as part of a Green Roof Guidance strategy, according to the commission.
A steering group involving organisations with large property portfolios – including Manchester Metropolitan University, Bruntwood, the City South Partnership and Stockport, Bury and Trafford Councils – has been set-up to discuss the eventual implementation of the strategy.
Jon Lovell, head of sustainability at Drivers Jonas, said the work will provide useful tools for architects, contractors, building owners and managers, and planners.
He said: “Green roofs deliver so many financial, environmental and public benefits and it’s astonishing that there are so few of them across Greater Manchester.
“This comprehensive piece of work will hopefully stimulate a major change in perceptions, leading to far greater uptake of green roofs on new and existing buildings across the conurbation.”
Richard Cowell, Manchester City Council executive member for the environment, said: “More green roofs will help Manchester adapt to the inevitable effects of climate change by soaking up storm water, creating habitats for insects and birds, and reducing air pollution. Green roofs and increased green spaces are part of Manchester’s plan to create a well adapted, successful, and competitive city for the future.”
