A plant company owner in San Diego, California, is hoping his new vegetated roof will help the concept catch on with others in the region.
"In a gritty industrial section of Kearny Mesa, 'plantscaper' Jim Mumford is putting down roots. On his roof. The result, which will come to life this morning, is an elevated oasis in a desert of concrete and metal."
"Experts in the expanding field of ecologically friendly designs don't expect hordes of Mumford's neighbors to join him any time soon. But the idea of vegetated roofs, already popular in Chicago, New York and elsewhere, is growing in Southern California."
" 'You are going to see it more and more,' said Pat Caughey of San Diego, president of the American Society of Landscape Architects. 'It isn't as technically difficult as it used to be.' "
"One local hang-up has been a lack of examples of how to make a vegetated roof look good and function properly. That could change with Mumford's installation."
" 'I think having a local project that takes the lead like this will definitely help with the naysayers,' said Stephen L. Kapp, San Diego chapter president of the U.S. Green Building Council."
FULL STORY: No garden-variety roof
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie