Mar 5 2008
Alumasc, the Mayor of London and Design for London have today launched their technical report promoting living roofs and walls at this year’s Ecobuild at Earl’s Court. The report informed the Mayor’s policy on living roofs and walls which was incorporated into the consolidated London Plan earlier this month.
Design for London’s support for living roofs has a number of aims, including creating accessible roof space, adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change, contributing to sustainable urban drainage; enhancing bio-diversity; and improved appearance.
Alumasc have been involved with research and development into green roof solutions for over 15 years and sponsored the technical report ‘Living Roofs Technical report in Support of the Further Alterations to the London Plan’. Notable Alumasc projects in the capital are the hotel and apartment complex at New Providence Wharf, Bishop’s Square office deve! lopment, North Harringay and St Martins in the Field schools and the restaurant at No 1 Poultry. Other landmark projects completed by the company have included the City Council Offices in Edinburgh, Headquarters for the Royal Bank of Scotland, Genome Institute in Cambridge, Cornwall’s Eden Project and the largest green roof project in the UK, the Rolls Royce factory in Chichester.
Peter Bishop, Director of Design for London, said: ‘As London is facing increased high density living it is vital that we explore innovative solutions and using the space above our heads is just one of the possibilities developers should be considering. Living roofs and walls help increase biodiversity as well as providing pleasant and accessible roof space for residents with the added benefits of environmentally friendly insulation. I’m delighted that this research has played a vital part in the Living roofs policy being adopted by the Mayor’s Further Alterations to the Lon! don Plan.’
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said: ‘Exce llent architecture and urban design is required if London is to adapt to the extremes of climate change. Living roofs and walls – green roofs, roof terraces and roof gardens are key to our capital’s future if we are to successfully provide more space. Not only do they reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions and reduce flood risk they also provide insulation and last but not least, improve the appearance of our city for Londoners and visitors alike.’
To view the London Plan's new Living Roofs and Walls policy visit http://www.london.gov.uk/thelondonplan/policies/4a-11.jsp
The technical report can be downloaded from http://www.london.gov.uk/gla/publications/environment/livingroofs.pdf