Green Roofs
More than five years of demonstration and documentation
In 2005, the Montréal Urban Ecology Centre (MUEC) decided to document the benefits of implementing green roofs in Montréal. They published four documents in connection with the installation of an experimental green roof on a duplex on Jeanne-Mance Street in the Milton-Parc neighbourhood. The green roof has scientific instruments that record how it affects inside temperatures, and the building's energy consumption.
The first study, Toitures vertes à la montréalaise, written by Maude Landreville in 2005, revealed that green roofs have many environmental, economical, and social benefits, and, in particular, public health benefits.
Click here to learn more about green roof benefits
A second study, Projet-pilote de toit vert, written by Jacob Nerenberg in the fall of 2005, described how the experimental green roof in Milton-Parc was installed.
The MUEC collaborated with GRIP-UQAM for a third study, Toitures végétales : implantation de toits verts en milieu institutionnel, written by Antoine Trottier in 2008, to make an update on research that had been done on green roofs in Montréal.
The MUEC finished its series of scientific research on the experimental green roof in Milton-Parc with the Étude de la performance énergétique d’une toiture végétale extensive installée au centre-ville de Montréal, written by Sébastien Jacquet in 2011.
Taking action
Over the last few years, major cities around the world have taken action and implemented different regulatory and economical incentives to encourage more people to build green roofs. In addition to European cities such as, Basel, Stuttgart, and Münster, numerous cities in North America, such as Chicago, Washington, Portland, and Toronto have recognized the importance of taking action and promoting green roofs.
The MUEC hopes that cities in Quebec will follow in these cities' footsteps and implement policies that will encourage green roof construction and set standards for quality, sustainable projects.
About the Experimental Green Roof:
Experimental Green Roof, Milton-Parc neighbourhood
Publications:
Étude de la performance énergétique d’une toiture végétale extensive installée au centre-ville de Montréal, Sébastien Jacquet, 2011.
A study of the energy efficiency of an experimental green roof in Montréal. The study looks at, in particular, the green roof's ability to increase the life span of the roof's waterproof membrane and reduce air conditioning and heating needs while keeping inside temperatures constant.
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(5,35 Mo)
Toitures végétales : implantation de toits verts en milieu institutionnel. Case study: Antoine Trottier, UQAM, GRIP-UQAM, the Montréal Urban Ecology Centre, and SodecM, Montréal, 2008.
A study on installing green roofs and up to date research done on green roofs in Quebec. A GRIP-UQAM/Groupe Verdis-toit project in collaboration with the Montréal Urban Ecology Centre.
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Projet-pilote de toit vert : Démarche d'une construction écologique: Jacob Nerenberg, Montréal Urban Ecology Centre, and SodecM, Montréal, 2005.
A detailed description of installing an extensive green roof on a residential building with a flat roof.
Download (8,9 Mo)
Toitures vertes à la montréalaise : Rapport de recherche sur l'implantation des toits verts à Montréal, Maude Landreville, Montréal Urban Ecology Centre, and SodecM, Montréal, 2005.
A report on an experimental green roof in Montréal that shows the impact green roofs have on air quality, stormwater retention, interior temperature, and building energy consumption, as well as, facts showing the necessity, feasability, and possible advantages of green roofs in Montréal.
Available in print only.
More information:
Please visit the frequently asked questions to learn more about different green roof technologies.
Contact Patrice Godin at the Montréal Urban Ecology Centre.