Need I say more?
Enjoy!
Friday, May 31, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
GILA word of the week: Pinkhouse
Good stuff from the last week.
-There are sooooo many people working on vertical farming techniques and solutions and it's great when folks with good ideas come to the surface to share what they've been working on for decades.
Like this "pink house" idea, which the researcher proposes would best fit in the suburbs.
-Here's a fantastic hotel in Dubai:
With over 27,000 plants spread across six floors, this is probably the biggest living wall in the United Arab Emirates.
- If you're involved in the rainwater catchment industry, here's your chance to give a little bit of information to help fill out the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association. ARCSA is conducting their first survey (which is due May 31) in over 20 years!
-There are sooooo many people working on vertical farming techniques and solutions and it's great when folks with good ideas come to the surface to share what they've been working on for decades.
Like this "pink house" idea, which the researcher proposes would best fit in the suburbs.
-Here's a fantastic hotel in Dubai:
With over 27,000 plants spread across six floors, this is probably the biggest living wall in the United Arab Emirates.
- If you're involved in the rainwater catchment industry, here's your chance to give a little bit of information to help fill out the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association. ARCSA is conducting their first survey (which is due May 31) in over 20 years!
Monday, May 27, 2013
Green roofs, now better than ever!
If you’re a fan of green roofs no doubt you read the Scientific American article a couple of weeks ago which set off a mini-firestorm in the green roof and broader green infrastructure world. I won’t direct you to all of the sites which reprinted and summarized the article, but they appeared on websites with large followings and active communities (check the comments section of some of those sites!)
Before diving into the comments, let’s take a look at the actual article. As we all know headlines are meant to capture readers and this one certainly did that. The problem seems to be green roofs in America’s biggest, most iconic city are essentially broken, but fixable. In particular the author asserts that they have not fared well in reducing urban heat island and energy usage. That is definitely debatable, as there are several studies which show green roofs can help with both. However, the article offers no evidence for this assertion and actually spends most of its space concerned with another issue, how green roofs planted with primarily sedum species plants do not perform well in regards to stormwater management.
We should take a step back even further and look at the original statement that green roofs are not working because not everyone gets a green roof for the same reason. With over twelve different green roof benefits there are a lots of reasons to get one and yours may be performing exactly as you expected it to. Especially if you bought one to reduce your long term roof replacement costs. Or if you bought one for aesthetics..and year after year it looks amazing!
But one to the stormwater management assertion...
Before reading Scott MacIvor’s work it has been verticiel’s aim to install a range of plants, not solely sedum species, on it's projects. Several grasses can work in 4-6 inches of medium and not a green roof is designed these days without our green roof champs chives and oregano. If you can have a rooftop you can eat from, why not? That's our philosophy, design a roof which provides as many benefits as possible. However we should all be thankful that he is pushing the industry forward and finding out what is best for the environment, even if your practice was to simply install or recommend sedum species plants.
Reading the comments sections I think some people took offense to how he described sedum species plants as “Just being there.” Years ago when I first started in the industry I was surprised at how passionately people felt about certain kinds of plants. Most feel indifferent about plants. Some people LOVE sedum species plants and I have met some who absolutely despise them! To those who abhor sedum species plants, this article means less of them around. And they couldn't be happier.
And to those who love native plants, having someone speak out against plants commonly found in Asia and Europe on North American rooftops, is a cause for a party and gives ammunition to their passionate argument.
Parsing the comment sections further one can plainly see other underlying sentiments. There are those (green roof designers, installers, growers) who have staked their whole business on sedum species plants, Amy Kraft’s article could be one which easily causes their businesses to tailspin...and quickly. And so they react passionately.
I imagine there are other green roof supporters who fear green roofs have plenty of detractors already and now those opponents have even more ammunition against a truly wonderful technology.
But I fear not and neither should you. This article gives us more to discuss. And finding ways to make green roofs better benefits us all, and for that we should be very appreciative!
Before diving into the comments, let’s take a look at the actual article. As we all know headlines are meant to capture readers and this one certainly did that. The problem seems to be green roofs in America’s biggest, most iconic city are essentially broken, but fixable. In particular the author asserts that they have not fared well in reducing urban heat island and energy usage. That is definitely debatable, as there are several studies which show green roofs can help with both. However, the article offers no evidence for this assertion and actually spends most of its space concerned with another issue, how green roofs planted with primarily sedum species plants do not perform well in regards to stormwater management.
We should take a step back even further and look at the original statement that green roofs are not working because not everyone gets a green roof for the same reason. With over twelve different green roof benefits there are a lots of reasons to get one and yours may be performing exactly as you expected it to. Especially if you bought one to reduce your long term roof replacement costs. Or if you bought one for aesthetics..and year after year it looks amazing!
But one to the stormwater management assertion...
Before reading Scott MacIvor’s work it has been verticiel’s aim to install a range of plants, not solely sedum species, on it's projects. Several grasses can work in 4-6 inches of medium and not a green roof is designed these days without our green roof champs chives and oregano. If you can have a rooftop you can eat from, why not? That's our philosophy, design a roof which provides as many benefits as possible. However we should all be thankful that he is pushing the industry forward and finding out what is best for the environment, even if your practice was to simply install or recommend sedum species plants.
Reading the comments sections I think some people took offense to how he described sedum species plants as “Just being there.” Years ago when I first started in the industry I was surprised at how passionately people felt about certain kinds of plants. Most feel indifferent about plants. Some people LOVE sedum species plants and I have met some who absolutely despise them! To those who abhor sedum species plants, this article means less of them around. And they couldn't be happier.
And to those who love native plants, having someone speak out against plants commonly found in Asia and Europe on North American rooftops, is a cause for a party and gives ammunition to their passionate argument.
Parsing the comment sections further one can plainly see other underlying sentiments. There are those (green roof designers, installers, growers) who have staked their whole business on sedum species plants, Amy Kraft’s article could be one which easily causes their businesses to tailspin...and quickly. And so they react passionately.
I imagine there are other green roof supporters who fear green roofs have plenty of detractors already and now those opponents have even more ammunition against a truly wonderful technology.
But I fear not and neither should you. This article gives us more to discuss. And finding ways to make green roofs better benefits us all, and for that we should be very appreciative!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Green roofs not working in NYC?
A few quick hits...
Aquaponics is a fantastic idea, especially in areas around the world without access to the ocean. In Gaza city the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has set up 15 aquaponic urban farms to lessen food insecurity. Good to know the program has expanded.
-As for this article about Manhattan’s Green Roofs "not working"...well, I will tackle that on Monday, but you should have a gander today if you haven't seen it already!
Aquaponics is a fantastic idea, especially in areas around the world without access to the ocean. In Gaza city the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has set up 15 aquaponic urban farms to lessen food insecurity. Good to know the program has expanded.
-As for this article about Manhattan’s Green Roofs "not working"...well, I will tackle that on Monday, but you should have a gander today if you haven't seen it already!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Urban agriculture in Spain
La Ciudad Jubilada / The Retired City from Pau Faus on Vimeo.
Continuing our focus on Spanish language GILA, I give you... --
El día a día de uno de los muchos jubilados que autocultivan sus propios huertos en tierras residuales que no les pertenecen, entre los ríos, las autopistas o las vías de tren de la periferia de Barcelona. Explorar y conocer estos huertos es un modo de aproximarse a una de las muchas prácticas autónomas que, desde su ‘desobediencia’, también dan forma a la ciudad contemporánea. Prácticas que, lejos de ser anecdóticas, nos dan muchas pistas sobre lo que ocurre detrás del supuesto orden urbano. El trabajo se centra en la dimensión social de estos huertos autoconstruidos, entendidos aquí como una lección de autonomía en una sociedad que insiste en asimilar 'Jubilación' a inutilidad y dependencia.
Este video complementa la publicación "La Ciudad Jubilada: Breve diccionario sobre los huertos informales en los ríos de Barcelona”
...
The daily life of one of the many retirees who cultivate their own allotment gardens in an urban margin land that doesn’t belong to them, between rivers, highways and railroad tracks on the outskirts of Barcelona. To explore and get to know these gardens is a way of approaching one of the many autonomous practices that, from its 'disobedience', also shape our contemporary cities. Practices that far from being simply incidental can give us many clues about what is going on behind the supposed urban order. This work focuses on the social dimension of these self-constructed gardens, seen here as a lesson of autonomy in a society that insists on assimilating 'Retirement' to uselessness and dependence.
This video complements the publication "The Retired City: Brief Dictionary on the informal gardens of the rivers of Barcelona."
Continuing our focus on Spanish language GILA, I give you... --
El día a día de uno de los muchos jubilados que autocultivan sus propios huertos en tierras residuales que no les pertenecen, entre los ríos, las autopistas o las vías de tren de la periferia de Barcelona. Explorar y conocer estos huertos es un modo de aproximarse a una de las muchas prácticas autónomas que, desde su ‘desobediencia’, también dan forma a la ciudad contemporánea. Prácticas que, lejos de ser anecdóticas, nos dan muchas pistas sobre lo que ocurre detrás del supuesto orden urbano. El trabajo se centra en la dimensión social de estos huertos autoconstruidos, entendidos aquí como una lección de autonomía en una sociedad que insiste en asimilar 'Jubilación' a inutilidad y dependencia.
Este video complementa la publicación "La Ciudad Jubilada: Breve diccionario sobre los huertos informales en los ríos de Barcelona”
...
The daily life of one of the many retirees who cultivate their own allotment gardens in an urban margin land that doesn’t belong to them, between rivers, highways and railroad tracks on the outskirts of Barcelona. To explore and get to know these gardens is a way of approaching one of the many autonomous practices that, from its 'disobedience', also shape our contemporary cities. Practices that far from being simply incidental can give us many clues about what is going on behind the supposed urban order. This work focuses on the social dimension of these self-constructed gardens, seen here as a lesson of autonomy in a society that insists on assimilating 'Retirement' to uselessness and dependence.
This video complements the publication "The Retired City: Brief Dictionary on the informal gardens of the rivers of Barcelona."
Monday, May 20, 2013
Permacultura (Permaculture in Spanish) double dip
And some more golden info:
Agricultura Urbana y Periurbana como herramienta para la seguridad
alimentaria y el desarrollo municipal
E-learning course on Urban
Agriculture at the Municipal Level held, since 2009, at the virtual platform of
the FAO – Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. Note:
Contents are in Spanish.
120 horas /
12 semanas. El participante debe dedicar al curso entre 8 y 10 horas de trabajo
semanal.
El curso
aporta toda la experiencia acumulada en la FAO para la formación de capacidades
al interior de las instituciones públicas para la formulación y ejecución de
programas integrales de agricultura urbana y periurbana y seguridad alimentaria
y nutricional en los municipios de la región.
Los
contenidos fueron diseñados y editados por el Grupo de Agricultura Urbana y
Periurbana (GAUP) de la Oficina Regional de la FAO para América Latina y el
Caribe, IPES Promoción del Desarrollo Sostenible y la Fundación RUAF.
English translation:
UPA as a tool for food security and
local development
The course provides all the experience accumulated in FAO capacity building within public institutions for the development and implementation of comprehensive programs of UPA and food and nutrition security in the municipalities of the region.
The course provides all the experience accumulated in FAO capacity building within public institutions for the development and implementation of comprehensive programs of UPA and food and nutrition security in the municipalities of the region.
The contents were designed and
edited by the group and Peri-Urban Agriculture (Gaup) of the FAO Regional
Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, IPES Promotion of Sustainable
Development and Foundation RUAF.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Eat up! - Book Review
I've been waiting for this book for about four months and it just hit the shelves Tuesday, May 14. I will now pen my shortest book review to date. Two words. Get it! If you’re into green infrastructure, urban agriculture/farming, green roofs, green walls, vertical gardening...none of the above but merely curious, this book is for you. And if you hope to get into “the business” in some capacity, it is a absolute must read.
The book sets the stage nicely by answering the what, why and when of rooftop agriculture. Stories about, profiles of, and information related to small, medium and large rooftop endeavors and their supporters can be found throughout. And there are even checklists for starting a garden, farm or large scale venture. Throw in copious end notes and a well-researched bibliography and you have great first book for a burgeoning industry.
Happy reading!
The book sets the stage nicely by answering the what, why and when of rooftop agriculture. Stories about, profiles of, and information related to small, medium and large rooftop endeavors and their supporters can be found throughout. And there are even checklists for starting a garden, farm or large scale venture. Throw in copious end notes and a well-researched bibliography and you have great first book for a burgeoning industry.
Happy reading!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
GILA word of the week: Fruit activist
Whether you consider the installation and care of fruit trees as “art”, is another matter, but more fruit trees in the world, especially on city streets, is definitely a good thing.
-Well, that didn’t take long. Several parties are interested in what remains of the Sweet Water Organics facility, including some former employees and local professors and entrepreneurs. Their complete proposal hasn’t been released yet, however it includes a commercial kitchen which can serve the fish and vegetables processed in the adjoining facilities.
-In September I posted a story about an aquaponics operation in Abu Dhabi. The facility was quietly kept under wraps until it was up and running and very little information about the people behind the idea was ever released. This is the first article I have seen which talks about the manager and driving force behind the project, Jabber Al Mazroui. They even have been able to grow watermelon!
-Whenever I give a talk about living walls I reference on of the most well-known examples, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Now it seems the gardens were never in Babylon, but 300 miles further north in Ninevah.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Green roof industry grows by 24% in 2012
Hot off the presses, according to green roof and green wall advocacy group, Green Roofs For Healthy Cities, the green roof industry grew by approximately 24% in 2012. Not as much as previous years, but growth in the industry means more green roofs...and that's a great thing for everyone.
-Horticultural therapy internship opportunities don't come around often, so when the opportunity arises you have to jump on them FAST! After your internship is done, who knows, you may be the next to create an award winning program like Horticulture for People with Disabilities in New Jersey have.
-I don't mean to make this post focused on metro New York, but one last thing. The green roof property tax abatement has run out, but City Council is investigating whether to renew it or offer something bigger and better.
-NY and Philly have had a friendly rivalry for a while, add the Green Angel Fund, an urban agriculture focused competition between two high schools, to the mix.
-The last two years have brought several insightful articles (exposés???) about Milwaukee's Sweet Water Organics, the pioneering aquaponics company. Unfortunately, it looks like they have closed up shop. It will be interesting who ends up taking control of their equipment and what sort of operation will rise from the rubble.
-Apps for urban agriculture have definitely picked up steam in the last six months. Michigan State University Extension has been very kind to do a roundup of the very best, including those which can help you determine weeds, insects, and soil characteristics.
-Horticultural therapy internship opportunities don't come around often, so when the opportunity arises you have to jump on them FAST! After your internship is done, who knows, you may be the next to create an award winning program like Horticulture for People with Disabilities in New Jersey have.
-I don't mean to make this post focused on metro New York, but one last thing. The green roof property tax abatement has run out, but City Council is investigating whether to renew it or offer something bigger and better.
-NY and Philly have had a friendly rivalry for a while, add the Green Angel Fund, an urban agriculture focused competition between two high schools, to the mix.
-The last two years have brought several insightful articles (exposés???) about Milwaukee's Sweet Water Organics, the pioneering aquaponics company. Unfortunately, it looks like they have closed up shop. It will be interesting who ends up taking control of their equipment and what sort of operation will rise from the rubble.
-Apps for urban agriculture have definitely picked up steam in the last six months. Michigan State University Extension has been very kind to do a roundup of the very best, including those which can help you determine weeds, insects, and soil characteristics.
Friday, May 10, 2013
The European Commission set to support green infrastructure
So much good news from the GILA world over the last week!
-The European Commission adopted a, new, long term, strategy to encourage green infrastructure projects including identifying possible projects, expanding the knowledge base of innovative, green infrastructure supporting technologies and most importantly, financing through the European Investment Bank.
-If you're at work and can listen to a podcast, without getting in trouble, give a listen to Will Allen's latest interview.
-A 7.5 million euro German/African partnership, UrbanFoodPlus, has been created to boost the productivity of urban farming in Africa. Although there will be a range of project groups focusing on different elements of food production across the continent, initially grower, seller, and government officials will be interviewed in Burkina Faso and Ghana to understand their current realities.
-What do you get when you combine martial arts and urban agriculture? Boston's own Green Dragons of course!
-There are very few vertical gardens anywhere around the world. If you are in Singapore or stopping through, one is actually open to the public!
-The European Commission adopted a, new, long term, strategy to encourage green infrastructure projects including identifying possible projects, expanding the knowledge base of innovative, green infrastructure supporting technologies and most importantly, financing through the European Investment Bank.
-If you're at work and can listen to a podcast, without getting in trouble, give a listen to Will Allen's latest interview.
-A 7.5 million euro German/African partnership, UrbanFoodPlus, has been created to boost the productivity of urban farming in Africa. Although there will be a range of project groups focusing on different elements of food production across the continent, initially grower, seller, and government officials will be interviewed in Burkina Faso and Ghana to understand their current realities.
-What do you get when you combine martial arts and urban agriculture? Boston's own Green Dragons of course!
-There are very few vertical gardens anywhere around the world. If you are in Singapore or stopping through, one is actually open to the public!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Europe's Green Infrastructure conference starts May 13
This year's International Green Roof Association (IGRA) will be held in Hamburg, Germany from May 13-15 2013.
Most living architecture professionals have their hands full right now planning and installing. Our first green roof of the year is coming up soon, in preparation for that I was checking out North American native stonecrops and stumbled across a great website. I am doing my best to find an updated website, so far, no dice. But the International Crassulaceae Network would be tremendous find for anyone in the industry. Check out this list of native North and South American sedum species plants; I have never seen anything like this!
Monday, May 6, 2013
Native sedums for green roofs - Sedum ternatum
For years I've heard about Sedum ternatum; one of the few native (to North America) sedum species plants which seems to do well with little sun (or even shade) and moisture. In a green roof we completed last June we put some (and a few sedum pachyclados) underneath a couple of river birch. In the height of the summer the plants get perhaps 3 hours of full-sun. I wasn't sure if they would flourish, in the medium after four months in place they had barely grown, but they have really taken off this spring!
Sedum ternatum is the lighter colored one, the darker one is the sedum pachyclados.
Sedum ternatum is the lighter colored one, the darker one is the sedum pachyclados.
Friday, May 3, 2013
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