Sustainable Futures: Designing Green Communities and Buildings podcast features microbiologist and Columbia University Professor Emeritus Dr. Dickson Despommier discussing his pioneering work and thought leadership on vertical farming.

Climate change intensifies storms, overwhelming stormwater infrastructure, causing flooding, property damage, and loss of life. Solutions include green and blue roofs, and "sponge cities" to improve stormwater management.

As Toronto co-hosts the 20th Anniversary of CitiesAlive in November, this article chronicles the early policy steps taken by the City to mandate and incentivize green roofs, now covering more than 10 million sf of roof area. 

This article highlights the significance of water on biodiverse green roofs. Designing a green roof for Berry Architecture, Pohl emphasizes the transformative power of water features, contributing to urban biodiversity while requiring minimal maintenance.

Founded in 2005, Skyland USA pioneered green roof soil products, adapting to industry demands over 20 years. With innovative blends and strategic partnerships, they've installed 30 million square feet nationwide, catalyzing the growth of green infrastructure in the US.

This article begins to make the case for increased public policy and private investment on a wide range of approaches to producing food in our urban environments in the face of climate change threats to food security. 

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with microbiologist and Columbia University Professor Emeritus Dr. Dickson Despommier to discuss his pioneering work and thought leadership on vertical farming.

Bird populations are an indicator of ecosystem health. Birds are in decline worldwide primarily due to the destruction and degradation of their habitat by humans. By design, green roofs can be planted to feed and shelter birds. This article reviews how green roofs have been planted to recover habitats for feeding birds.

Urban agriculture offices promote local produce in cities, like rooftop farms in New York and San Francisco. Washington D.C.'s Office of Urban Agriculture aims to expand food production, integrate landscapes, and educate communities, aligning with sustainability goals and fostering economic activity.

Discover five somewhat surprising reasons we are not ‘separate’ from nature, but deeply interconnected, and how this knowledge can help us improve the design of our buildings and communities.

New scientific evidence suggests the need to add to the 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design. This article by William Browning and Catherine Ryan of Terrapin Bright Green explains what it means to experience Awe in the built environment through biophilic design and provides multiple of examples from architecture and nature.