A roof to clean Chicago

The roof of Chicago’s City Hall is to be planted with grass, ivy and two oak trees, as part of a project to show how roof gardens can help reduce air pollution. A similar building on the same site, used by the county government, will keep its traditional black roof so that temperatures and ozone levels can be compared between the two.

Ozone pollution can be accelerated by black roofs because of the way they absorb sunlight and radiate heat to surrounding air. Mayor Richard Daley (bdaley@ci.chi.il.us) wants to encourage Chicago residents to make better choices when they roof their homes and offices, although he acknowledges that trees will not be an option for many of them.

• Buildings "fit for the future" should now be on the increase in the UK with the launch of the Fit Buildings Network late last year. Founded by ABS Consulting (see Issue 18, p11), FBnet aims to encourage the reduction of operating costs and the environmental impact of buildings, while increasing occupant satisfaction and performance, by encouraging an information exchange between all those involved in the building process.

  FBnet, Dave Hampton, 020 7378 0006;
  drhampton@absconsulting.uk.com

18 October 2001