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Conference
2006
Plants as infrastructure
Abstract:
Indigenous
New Zealand greenroofs: a Waitakere case study and possible planning
incentives
ROBYN
SIMCOCK
Greenroofs can achieve
multiple environmental benefits, most importantly reducing the pressure
on stormwater infrastructure by retarding and reducing stormwater
runoff but also increasing native biodiversity in cities, particularly
if native plants are used. In 2005, Waitakere City supported the
testing of plants and substrates in a laboratory and field trial
in preparation for construction of a 500m2 greenroof in 2006. The
paper identifies the criteria for successful greenroof media, compares
the two media field tested in December 2005, and identifies the
best-performing native vascular plant species for such relatively
droughty and highly exposed sites.
The widespread application
of greenroofs in New Zealand will occur if planning policy provides
incentive programmes to offset the initial capital cost of greenroof
construction. Non-regulatory and regulatory methods formulated by
other countries that have successfully encouraged the use of greenroofs
will be presented, focusing on methods can be adapted to the New
Zealand planning framework.
Robyn Simcock
Landcare Research, Private Bag 92170, Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand
Email: simcockr@landcareresearch.co.nz
Ph: 09 574 4100
Fax: 09 574 4101
Logan Whitelaw
University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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