Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2019 - 1

FROM THE FOUNDER

GREENING OUR
CITIES CAN LEAD
TO GREATER
SOCIAL EQUITY
O

ne of the first Native American actors,
authors, philosophers and educators,
Aglala Lakota Chief Luther Standing
Bear understood that our relationship to
nature influences how we treat one another.
It follows then, that if we aggressively
introduce nature back into our cities to
adapt to climate change, this should also
lead to greater respect and social equity.
This Social Equity Issue of the LAM
explores some of these ideas in the context
of increasing green infrastructure in our
communities. Currently, the greatest
opportunity for making progress on both
fronts appears to be found in the way
rooftop farms operate. In our On The Roof
With feature, we explore the many social
benefits that accompany rooftop farming
through interviews with three extraordinary
rooftop farmers - pioneers all!
All too often it is the case, that
investments in green infrastructure,
particularly parks, result in the
displacement of poor people, as incoming
real estate investment is often accompanied
by their displacement from low rent
dwellings. Joyce McLean explores the
concept of gentrification and eco-justice
and provides examples of how green
infrastructure development does not
have to result in the loss of diversity and
LIVINGARCHITECTUREMONITOR.COM

THE OLD LAKOTA WAS WISE. HE KNEW
THAT MAN'S HEART, AWAY FROM NATURE,
BECOMES HARD; HE KNEW THAT LACK OF
RESPECT FOR GROWING, LIVING THINGS
SOON LED TO LACK OF RESPECT FOR
HUMANS TOO.
- LUTHER STANDING BEAR (1868-1939)

community, when accompanied by other
policies.
In this issue, we are also celebrating the
first three projects that have gone through
the Living Architecture Performance Tool
(LAPT) certification process. Modelled
after LEED and Sustainable SITES, the
LAPT Version 1.0 provides designers with
an opportunity to earn up to 110 points,
in eight major subject areas. The LAPT
is designed to help designers, building
owners and policy makers achieve better
performance outcomes from green roofs
and walls. In addition to receiving points
for rooftop farming, points are allocated
for stakeholder engagement, including
an equity and social justice plan with
participatory budgeting and community
partnering. There are also points for
sourcing materials and equipment from
companies that have pro-equity supply
chains, and for local hiring practices.
Congratulations to Omni Ecosystems,
Wight & Company and Recover Green
Roofs for the three LAPT certified
projects. You can download the LAPT for
free at www.greeninfrastructurefoundation.
org and projects are being accepted in this
first round until May 30, 2020.
I am pleased to share with you
that CitiesAlive is returning in 2020

to the beautiful city of Philadelphia
from November 15 to 18. Since 2011,
Philadelphia has embarked on a program
to invest billions of dollars in green
infrastructure to address its stormwater
management challenges. Philadelphia
Water is also tracking the resulting social
benefits associated with employment,
economic stimulus, crime reduction,
aesthetic and property tax improvements.
In the months to come, we'll be covering
more of the successes and challenges
associated with implementing Green City,
Clean Waters, the City's 25-year plan to
use green stormwater infrastructure to
regenerate Philadelphia. Please save the
date and join us in November 2020.
I hope you all enjoy the festive season
and look forward to advancing our industry
in 2020 with you!
Sincerely yours,

Steven W. Peck,
GRP, Honorary ASLA
Founder and President

LIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR / WINTER 2019 / 1
http://www.greeninfrastructurefoundation http://www.LIVINGARCHITECTUREMONITOR.COM
Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2019

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