In our highly capitalized world, the greatest drivers of green infrastructure implementation are supportive policy and the organization of advocacy groups. Green infrastructure implementation through policy initiatives such as incentives, mandates, or other supportive measures provides city, state and federal governments with the tools to develop shovel-ready projects that can enhance climate resilience, expedite COVID19 recovery, and reimagine healthier communities.

Although green roofs have had a slow adoption as a standard roofing option due to high costs in designs and installation, they nonetheless are cost effective in terms of long-term savings. Cities have also implemented incentive programs to benefit from low-cost financing to cover the upfront premium costs. The first green roof bylaw was passed in 2009 in Toronto, ON, and green infrastructure has since grown in awareness and recognition of its myriad benefits, and is becoming ever more important to consider in the policy making process because of our growing population and the ravages of climate change affecting our communities.

Join us to learn from a variety of North American policy makers about how to administer transformative policy to create a more resilient future with green infrastructure. The policy symposium is designed for policy makers and advocates. It will provide case studies of green roof policy making and strategy in Portland, OR, Toronto ONT, and Cambridge, MASS.