This article explores how water impacts us physically and psychologically through examples of its influence on Polish history, development and green roof design. 

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. 

Learn about the community-centric City Sponge program in New York City dedicated to managing flooding by being a clearinghouse of information about widespread, decentralized rooftop greening and other flood mitigation methods. 

As extreme rainfall increases, sponge cities offer a proven approach to flood mitigation, water management, and climate adaptation through green infrastructure.

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. 

New roof systems including blue, blue-green, and friction storage systems are designed to capture and detain more stormwater than extensive green roofs. This article reviews the basic parameters of these designs and summarizes recent research.

Discover how a historic Boston building used a green roof to meet stormwater regulations cost-effectively. This case study explores how rooftop green infrastructure can manage runoff, support biodiversity, create resident amenities, and deliver climate resilience in dense urban environments.

This episode of Sustainable Futures: Designing Green Communities and Building features a conversation on water management, extreme heat, and the importance of connecting with natural spaces through green infrastructure.

Although succulent monocultures are the default for many green roofs, rewilding green roofs with wildflowers and grasses can enhance stormwater retention and make them more adaptive to extreme climate events. Learn about rewilding green roofs.

Hailstorms are becoming an increasingly costly threat to buildings, particularly in regions like Texas, Colorado, and the Great Plains but research shows that green roofs are a resilient solution to mitigate hail damage and protect waterproofing.

The European Water Resilience Strategy emphasizes sustainability but overlooks urban green infrastructure. Cities must be central to water resilience efforts through nature-based solutions like green roofs, permeable surfaces, and water-sensitive urban design.