Portland's ecoroof program is enough to turn other sustainability-striving cities green with envy. The City of Roses boasts 351 green roofs and rooftop gardens covering more than 26 acres. By comparison, Seattle has 62 vegetated roofs totaling about 9 acres.
Ecoroofs are touted for their ability to trap and hold rainwater that would otherwise pour onto streets or into gutters, carrying pollution and potentially causing sewer overflows, flooding, and stream erosion. The roofs can insulate buildings, cutting heating and cooling costs; provide green spaces for people, birds, and bugs; reduce heat island effects; and even lengthen the life of a roof.
The effort got a huge boost when Portland mayor Sam Adams earmarked $6 million for an incentive program that's putting ecoroofs on private buildings all across town. the 2-year-old Grey to Green program already has awarded $1.3 million for the construction of 6 acres of new roofs. The program is slated to last until 2013.
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