In dense urban environments with aging sewer systems, effectively managing rainwater poses several challenges. Learn how the City of Vancouver’s recently updated rainwater management criteria for new development targets these issues, and green roofs provide a practical strategy to support the updated requirements. 

This article highlights the National Research Council of Canada-led Nature-Based Solutions on Commercial Roofs initiative, which is developing science-based methodologies to quantify and standardize the hydrological performance of rooftop flood mitigation assemblies.

Learn the basics of municipal stormwater management planning and how green and blue-green roofs can be designed to meet water balance, quantity and quality targets, often contributing to more cost-effective compliance. 

Learn how Toronto’s award-winning Green Roof By-Law and the Toronto Green Standard shaped resilient, climate-positive cities, improved air quality, supported pollinators, and provided energy savings, and why their loss could impact Toronto’s future livability

Providing estimates of the monetary benefits of improved health outcomes contributes to better decision making on resource allocation using multiple examples from Ontario municipalities.

Soprema has been a pioneer in green roof innovation for over 30 years, shaping the North American industry through research, demonstration projects, and policy advocacy. From launching SOPRANATURE in France to developing cold-climate green roofs in Quebec, Soprema’s work has won award-winning projects.

Urban agriculture fosters ecological literacy, reconnecting city dwellers with nature. Explore how Toronto Metropolitan University’s Urban Farm cultivates sustainability, community, and hands-on learning. Read more on urban food systems and environmental awareness.

Urban heat is a growing threat, exacerbating health risks and inequality. Arup’s UHeat tool provides data-driven solutions to mitigate the Urban Heat Island effect, with case studies like Toronto showcasing strategies for resilience through green infrastructure, retrofitting, and equitable urban design for cooler, healthier cities.

The article highlights GINKGO’s breakthrough air purification systems, Stomata and Aether. Combining engineered plants, advanced filtration, and efficient irrigation, these systems remove 99.99% of indoor pollutants. With reduced maintenance and proven results, they offer a sustainable solution to improve air quality and enhance well-being in indoor spaces.

Green roofs cover less than 2% of Vancouver’s roofscape, highlighting untapped potential for urban cooling and stormwater benefits. GRIN’s mapping technology can drive green infrastructure adoption across North America, fostering resilience and liveability. Support this transformative initiative through donations or by exploring its application in your city.

The City of Toronto welcomed more than 300 green infrastructure professionals on November 6 to 9 for the 20th anniversary of the CitiesAlive conference. The conference highlights green infrastructure design, research, policy and innovation from across the world. 

Providing estimates of the monetary benefits of improved health outcomes contributes to better decision making on resource allocation using multiple examples from Ontario municipalities.

Learn about the innovative Framework Plan to redevelop a 370 acre site, formerly an airport in the northwest corner of Toronto, with green infrastructure and public open space at its heart and healthy car free mobility and complete communities.

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.