On a windswept farm north of Belleville, Ontario, a roof became something more than shelter. It became a new opportunity for women to work. When Michele Vindum needed a new roof on her home at Plainfield Heritage Farm, she set a condition that surprised even seasoned contractors: the crew had to be all women.

“I’ve always been very aware, as a woman who used to work in the sciences… that there are systemic barriers to women entering non-traditional trades,” she told CBC Radio. What followed was not just a job, but the formation of a movement.

Vindum found Samanntha De Coteau, a Welland-based roofer known online as “RooferGirl.” De Coteau reached across provinces, calling in tradeswomen from Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan. The result: the Summit Sisters, an all-woman roofing team that is now gaining national attention.

Roofing season in Canada doesn’t last long, maybe 5 months of the year. And with global warming and intense summers reducing the lifespan of shingles, more and more people need their roofs done, but with few laborers in some areas willing and able to do the job.

“Everybody was just so interested in it, so supportive,” De Coteau said. “All the girls said, ‘Yeah, I’ll come, I’ll do it.’”

A changing climate with a changing roof

Canada’s roofs are under pressure. Freeze-thaw cycles are intensifying with climate change, shortening the lifespan of asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material across the country. Hailstorms, heat waves, and heavy snow loads are forcing homeowners to replace roofs more often than expected.

And that raises a deeper question: if you’re replacing your roof anyway, why go back to the same material? I faced that decision myself. Instead of reinstalling asphalt shingles, I worked with local builders to convert my aging roof into tin—what’s more commonly known as a standing seam metal roof.

It cost more upfront, probably double the cost, but the payoff was immediate: durability, recyclability, and a lifespan that can stretch 40 to 70 years. Once you’ve turned to a tin roof, that’s pretty much it for the rest of your life. Your kids can deal with changing the roof in the future. I called around and spoke with local Quakers who roof and who sell ends, at dollars a piece but my roofer Randy said it’s a better roof if he buys large pieces, so we did that.

So is metal roofing the more sustainable option?

In many cases, yes. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), metal roofing outperforms asphalt in longevity, energy efficiency, and end-of-life recyclability. Asphalt shingles typically last 15–25 years and often end up in landfills. Speaking with locals in Northern Ontario, they estimate the ages of the materials, lower in quality than the past, you can get 8 to 10 years out of a new shingle roof. Metal roofs, by contrast, are often made from recycled content and can be fully recycled again.

For homeowners navigating cost vs. impact, this guide offers a grounded breakdown:
Sustainable roofing options in Canada (CMHC).

If you live in a hot desert climate, a flat, white-painted flat roof, or thatched natural roof, or clay roof (like in Sicily) might be a better option. Also consult your local building associations for the greenest roof for your location.

More than a roof for the shingling Summit Sisters

But the Summit Sisters story isn’t just about materials, or about environmentalism. It’s about access and building regenerative communities (see our interview with Tony Cho). Only about 7% of workers in trades, transport, and equipment occupations in Canada are women, according to Statistics Canada. Roofing remains one of the most male-dominated sectors. In summer months it’s almost impossible to find a skilled laborer who will return after the first quote.

Women are filling the gap. De Coteau knows that firsthand. “Maybe they’re too intimidated because it’s considered a man’s job,” she said. “Maybe they think they’re not strong enough.”

The truth is, roofing isn’t about brute strength. It’s about skill, balance, endurance, and increasingly, precision installation of advanced materials like solar-integrated panels and high-performance membranes. You don’t need to be strong to be a roofer. You need to be brave.

How to find an all-woman roofing crew

They are still rare, but not invisible. Search local Facebook groups and Instagram for tradeswomen (terms like women roofers Canada, female contractors Ontario). We found Summit Sisters on TikTok. Platforms like Build Together Canada and Women Building Futures connect women to trades and employers. Ask contractors directly, some companies now offer mixed or all-women crews by request. Word of mouth still matters: Vindum found her crew through a single social media post.

Do do due diligence, however. When we hired a local guy we knew, he did the roof all by himself in one weekend and the cost to replace the roof wasn’t split among a team who needed to travel far and offer per diems. He lived down the road, and ordered material from a local company he has known since he was young. When there is a leak or something goes wrong, I have someone local to call. That might not be the case with over-marketed teams, hired just because they are women. Hire the best person for the job at the best price.

But we get inspiration from that Ontario farm. It’s a signal that as climate change forces us to rethink how we build, and renovate and maintain our homes, the labor behind those decisions matters too. The Summit Sisters didn’t just replace a roof, they raised a bar.

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Cities like Tel Aviv are giving out free trees to create a food forest. And in Berlin, researchers like Ingo Kowarik are laying the blueprint for how to create sustainable cities using what we’ve already got. The illustrated handout above works to understand some of the principles developed by Ingo Kowarik and his team of urban planne

As urbanization continues to dominate the global landscape, cities are faced with the challenge of accommodating growing populations while maintaining a healthy relationship with nature. This is important for mental health and also for urban plants and animals. Ingo Kawarik, a leading urban ecologist from Berlin, proposes a revolutionary approach to greening cities, where space—an ever-precious commodity in urban settings—is utilized to foster biodiversity and support ecological resilience.

Kawarik’s approach resonates deeply with a group of ecologists, geographers, and urban planners, who together advocate for the intelligent optimization of urban environments to benefit both people and the natural world. They have a plan and blueprint they have shared on Nature Reviews.

Related: Chicago’s coyotes live longer around people

As cities expand, they increasingly encroach on natural habitats, contributing to the loss of biodiversity and diminishing the quality of life for residents. Urban environments often become hotbeds of pollution, limited green spaces, and artificial lighting, which negatively impact both human health and local ecosystems. In response to these challenges, urban planners are exploring innovative methods to transform cities into more sustainable, nature-friendly spaces.

Kawarik’s approach presents an opportunity to address these issues, focusing on sustainable design practices that integrate biodiversity into the very fabric of urban life.

Related: bats like the food diversity of cities

Kawarik’s approach is centered around the idea that even in densely populated urban areas, space can be optimized to promote ecological balance. By rethinking the way cities are designed, planners can incorporate nature-based solutions that simultaneously enhance the environment and improve residents’ well-being.

Here are some key strategies proposed by Kawarik and supported by ecologists and urban planners:

1. Reducing Urban Lighting

One of the primary sources of disruption to urban biodiversity is excessive artificial lighting, which not only wastes energy but also affects the behavior and health of nocturnal species. Kawarik suggests that cities can reduce urban lighting to minimize light pollution, which can hinder the natural processes of plants and animals. Strategies like dimming streetlights or implementing motion sensors in low-traffic areas can conserve energy while promoting healthier ecosystems. Unnatural light isn’t good for humans either. See LED light and human health.

2. Creating Multi-Functional Greenbelts and Parks

Greenbelts and parks are essential components of any sustainable city, offering green spaces for recreation, wildlife habitats, and ecological services. Kawarik advocates for multi-functional green spaces that serve not only as recreational areas but also as corridors for wildlife, helping to restore fragmented ecosystems.

These greenbelts can provide refuge for a variety of species while also improving air quality, reducing the urban heat island effect, and promoting mental well-being for urban dwellers. Greenbelts can be small, like in the streets of space between buildings in Montreal, or large like in huge rural spaces like north of Toronto.

3. Incentivizing Green Roofs

With space at a premium, the rooftop offers an untapped resource for urban greening. Green roofs—vegetated surfaces on buildings—are a powerful tool in Kawarik’s strategy. Not only do green roofs provide habitat for birds, insects, and plants, but they also help to reduce the urban heat island effect, improve energy efficiency in buildings, and capture rainwater. Kawarik suggests that city governments incentivize the installation of green roofs through tax breaks or grants, making it a viable option for developers and homeowners alike. Green roofs do require management and may lead to leaks and other concerns, but when done right the risks outweigh the benefits.

4. Increasing Tree Cover

Trees are critical for urban ecosystems, providing shade, improving air quality, and supporting biodiversity. Kawarik advocates for increasing tree cover in urban areas, particularly in densely built environments where green space is limited. Planting more trees in streetscapes, parks, and even along highways can create vital corridors for wildlife, absorb carbon dioxide, and mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization. Tree planting initiatives can also engage communities, fostering a greater sense of connection between people and nature. See the MIT study on which cities have become greener in their urban tree maps.

Kawarik’s vision emphasizes that greening cities is not just about creating spaces for biodiversity—it is also about enhancing the quality of life for urban residents. A greener city can offer numerous benefits, from cleaner air and cooler temperatures to opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Moreover, integrating nature into urban environments has been shown to have positive effects on mental health, reducing stress and increasing overall well-being.

The post A guide to rewilding your cities appeared first on Green Prophet.

While most of us just use the train or bus to get from point A to point B, there are times when the public can move and join together in an event or a mission. Train, subway, and underground rides within cities and between them are the perfect way to add in an experience, either planned or spontaneous. They are moving cabins with a captive audience. Put away your phone and think about the best underground experience you have ever had. My favorite city train ride was on the underground train from Midtown to Harlem in New York City, on a subway train which ended up in acrobatics and a spontaneous dance party. It was the best performance and I was part of the show. No one could plan the art on that train.

Once we bought family tickets to ride the train to nowhere in India. It was pretty funny. We had feet in our faces and got to make friends and eat strange treats, even other peoples’ home cooking. At one point my bag was full of scattered and cooked grains sticking all over it and I dumped it out in a garbage bin on a connecting platform. At that moment my husband said: If they were making a movie about Karin, this would be the opening shot. It was a great memory being on that train.

I love the idea of traveling by train as a sustainable way to do tourism and get a sense of place. There is a lover’s train in Norway, and Saudi Arabia is building the world’s most luxurious slow travel trains as it opens to tourism. But we aren’t looking for love or luxury. Just simple fun: so we took the question to the Internet, and readers responded with some great ideas. What are the best train tourism experiences in the world? There is a techno train, a sauna train, an accordion and beer train, a no-pants train, a supper train and a train where you can speak with professors. Or maybe the surprise train that plays live music and drops you off in an unknown village. All aboard?

Techno Train: Germany’s Eco-Friendly Rave on Rails

In Germany, trains are no longer just for commuting—they’re rolling nightclubs! The Techno Train offers partygoers a chance to dance the night away on a train traveling between cities. This eco-friendly rave is powered by renewable energy and creates a sustainable, low-carbon alternative to driving to music festivals. Not only does it reduce car traffic, but it also promotes eco-conscious partying. While this may seem unconventional, it’s an electrifying way to get more people to choose public transport. Find out about the next Techno Train here.

Scientists on the Trains: Israel’s Physics Professors on Trains

In Israel, professors from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have been known to bring their classrooms to the public transport system. Commuters on specific train lines, at certain times of the year, can listen to free lectures about physics, turning otherwise mundane commutes into educational experiences.

Some explore topics like global warming, the creation of Earth and how the brain works. There was one lecture about the love letters between Einstein and his first and then second wife –– a natural choice since Einstein was one of the founders of the Hebrew University in the 1920s. Einstein gave his first lecture in 1923, and upon his death, donated his collection of material to the university in Jerusalem where it is now located in a special museum. Einstein wrote these letters when he was traveling –– by train.

In Taiwan the idea has caught on and in 2020, scientists started doing experiments with school kids on the train. So much you can do with a captive audience. What would you lecture about on a train? Would you want that for your city? A nice add to the educational experience is Mail Rail in London.

Accordions and Beer on a Train, with the Music Winkel Express, Germany

The Winkel Express offers a nostalgic journey between the Czech Republic and Adorf in Germany, traversing the picturesque Ore Mountains.

This unique experience features a vintage German Schienenbus, a diesel railbus reminiscent of mid-20th-century travel. Passengers are treated to live accordion music, enhancing the very convivial atmosphere, while enjoying locally brewed beers served onboard. The journey is particularly enchanting during winter, as snow blankets the landscape, creating a serene and picturesque setting. The combination of musical entertainment, cultural exploration, and scenic beauty makes the Winkel Express a memorable excursion for those seeking a blend of tradition and adventure. Or those just seeking beer and accordions. Get info about getting aboard with German hearty cheer here.

Wabi Sabi gardening on the train, Tokyo and Kyoto Japan

In Tokyo, commuters can easily step off the train and be right inside an urban garden. We experienced this in Ueno and Shibuya and some trains have gardens inside them like the Kyoto Garaku train, and others have gardens on the roofs of the trains stations. Tokyo and Kyoto are cities full of secrets that don’t give them up easily.

Some local transit authorities in Japan have partnered with environmental groups to create small green spaces filled with plants and trees at select transit hubs. Not only do these mini gardens serve as beautiful, peaceful places for passengers to relax, but they also promote biodiversity and air purification. The green spaces also help reduce the urban heat island effect, making them a practical solution for sustainable cities.

Japan is just full of surprises. It’s even possible to buy a Suica card and jump on and off the trains in Tokyo, with no plan and choose your next adventure. Of course the bullet train is also an experience in itself. I felt a bit nauseated when on one, but I am told you get used to the speed eventually. 

London also took on the idea of Tiny Parks. This page has more about them if you are in London. There are currently 9 Tiny Parks in former London Underground ticket office windows. They can be found at: St James’s Park, Belsize Park, Wood Green, Kilburn Park. 

No Trousers on the Tube Day, London

London also has the No Trousers on the Tube Day, every year. You might make a note to avoid public transport on London, on that day. The last one was in January so you are probably good until that rolls around again. The annual No Trousers Tube Ride went ahead this year despite the freezing temperatures in London.

Bare-legged passengers could be spotted throughout the London Underground, including in Westminster, Waterloo, and South Kensington. Started in January 2002 by just seven participants in New York, the event has since grown globally, with dozens taking part in this year’s London edition. Charlie Todd, the no-pants founder said:  “The goal is simply to create unexpected moments of joy, delight, and confusion.”

The Supper Club Train in London

Where London in lacking in pants, they make up for in food. A unique supper club experience has been gaining popularity in London, offering a dining adventure like no other—on a train. This innovative concept transforms an ordinary train ride into a gourmet experience, where guests are treated to multi-course meals while traveling through the city or scenic countryside.

The supper club on a train is more than just a meal; it’s an immersive experience that combines the thrill of travel with fine dining. Passengers board a vintage-style train, which has been thoughtfully restored to exude charm and sophistication. The journey takes them to various destinations, with the train’s luxurious setting providing the perfect backdrop for an evening of culinary delight.

Chefs prepare the meals on board, offering seasonal and locally sourced ingredients in beautifully crafted dishes. The atmosphere is relaxed yet refined, with tables set for intimate dining, accompanied by wines that perfectly complement the courses. Along with exceptional food, the journey itself becomes part of the experience, offering views of London’s iconic landmarks or the tranquil English countryside. The cost is about $85 USD a person.

Book the supper club here

Solar-Powered Trains, India

This is less of an experience and more of a sweet idea: In India, solar energy is powering the lighting of certain diesel-powered trains. The Indian Railways have launched solar-powered trains that help reduce their carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels. Solar panels are not yet able to power a train journey, but do send a nice message about sustainable travel. These trains run lights and charging stations from solar panels installed on their rooftops, providing a clean, renewable energy source.

Interactive Art Installations in Argentina

Buenos Aires is a vast canvas for urban art as well as being an efficient public transport system. The train system underground and above is also a gallery of urban art with 450 artistic projects from 200 artists at stations across the network.Throughout the metro system, passengers can engage with art pieces that involve everything from light projections to touch-sensitive walls.

These installations don’t just provide entertainment; they connect passengers with the culture and vibrancy of the city. It’s a creative way to use public transport as a platform for local artists while fostering a sense of pride in the community. The city also offers free bikes when you get off the train using Ecobici, the 24-hour bike share scheme. Bikes can be taken for up to one hour Monday – Friday and up to two hours at the weekend (you can go for a second spin after a five-minute wait).

Reset and Detox on this Sauna and Surprise Train, Czechia

VlakFest organizes adventurous train trips throughout Czechia and occasionally to neighboring countries, with the twist of surprise destinations. These trips occur throughout the year, featuring themed rides with live music, cultural experiences, and seasonal events like winter wonderland journeys. The adventure also includes saunas on the train, pioneered in Finland, a country known for its sauna culture.

Unique activities include onboard workshops, food tastings, and overnight stays at hidden gems. The sauna car and love music means getting there is 90 percent of the journey. Meet new people and relax. For dates, locations, and booking details, visit VlakFest’s website.

A Conference on Trains, On a Train?

This is something only Europeans could think up and I thank my friends in Finland (remember our cleantech press tour Helsinki?); Tampere University is putting on a conference on alternative experiences by train, on a train that crosses through cities and ends in Istanbul. This is a country that has invented saunas on a train, so you know it’s going to be a wild ride. Have a new idea to share for tourism, art, education or the environment? They are looking for submissions and lecturers in areas such as:

• The railway journey as a narrative trope in literature and film
• Sensory geographies of the railway
• Historical phenomenologies of the railway
• The railway as a multisensory experience in literature and art
• Railways and the aesthetics of speed
• Nostalgic or futuristic railway imaginaries

The CfP for the conference ‘Railway Aesthetics: Experiencing Locomotion across Media and Cultures’ (Vienna-Bucharest-Istanbul, 10-13.09.2025) will be taking place between these cities in September, organized by Tampere University, Sapienza University of Rome, and University of Zurich. The deadline for submissions is May 2, 2025. 

Get on the Folk Train, in England

Folk train fun on the Glossop Line: For a fun evening with a special twist, the all year round program of live music folk trains on the Glossop line in the Peak District of Derbyshire is hard to beat. For just the price of your train ticket, music lovers can sit back and admire the views from the carriage window while being entertained by a live folk music band on board the train. Their Facebook page keeps you updated on who’s running the jam for each month. It’s free with a train ticket. The train leaves Manchester Piccadilly in the evening and returns to Manchester later on.

No extra ticket required – Normal train fares apply. A voluntary raffle is held for a bottle of wine or couple of beers. £2 per ticket plus any other contributions you wish to make, all proceeds go to pay the musicians. There are more folk trains in England. While this page is a bit outdated, there are contacts and links for finding out how to catch folk trains running throughout other parts of England. Groups are allowed but be in touch beforehand. 

Party on the Rampage Express, Belgium

The Rampage Express is a dedicated festival train that takes partygoers from Brussels and Antwerp to the Rampage Open Air festival in Belgium. It’s not just a ride—it’s a pre-party on wheels! The train is filled with excited festival-goers, creating an electrifying atmosphere before you even reach the event. People are decked out in festival gear, music is pumping, and the energy is contagious. It’s a great way to meet fellow fans and get the party rolling. We we

Rampage Open Air is a premier drum & bass and dubstep festival held annually in Lommel, Belgium. The 2025 edition is scheduled for July promising an electrifying experience for bass music enthusiasts. The festival boasts seven stages and over 300 artists, aiming to attract around 60,000 attendees. Book the festival and train here.

The Dutch Sziget Express Party Train from Amsterdam to Budapest

The Sziget Express is a unique party train that transports festival-goers from the Netherlands to the Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary. Departing from Amersfoort on August 4, 2025, and arriving in Budapest on August 5, this journey transforms travel into an unforgettable pre-festival celebration. The return trip leaves Budapest on August 12, reaching Amersfoort on August 13.

Onboard, passengers can expect a vibrant atmosphere with DJs, a bar carriage, and ample opportunities to socialize. The train offers comfortable seating, with baggage included in the ticket price. For those traveling with friends, group seating requests are accommodated, provided all have the same ticket type.

Tickets for the Sziget Express start at €299, with package deals available that include festival passes at discounted rates. Given the train’s popularity and limited capacity, early booking is highly recommended to secure a spot on this extraordinary journey to one of Europe’s premier music festivals. Years ago, many years ago when I went to a Rolling Stones concert in Zurich I found myself on a party bus taking us there. Getting the party to a destination festival by rail is so sustainable, leaving out all that space needed for cars that will not be used for days.

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This is not a festival about rooftops. It is a festival about the possibility of reinventing the city itself. Gad Eden is about adding the ground space that is in such shortage, and to dream up a reality of abundance for all of us. This year, we are celebrating the new rooftops that joined the city center on top of the art schools, and the brave decision of the Jerusalem Municipality, which together with us implemented the program for tapping into the potential of urban rooftops.

Video of Gag Eden, 2021:

Thanks to this initiative, in the upcoming years, one million meters of rooftop wilderness will be transformed into valuable green havens.

Related: meet Palestinian women beekeepers in Jerusalem.

And above all, Gag Eden is celebrating the fact that we are no longer alone, lone madmen on the roof – but a part of a growing and optimistic movement of people from all sectors, religions, sexes, and genders that come together to create the spaces we are missing, the realms of healing that the city and we need.

Join us for three days in which we will make and get to know the city we deserve.

Get the Gan Eden Full Schedule in English here (links to PDF)bees

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There are numerous reasons to start a greenhouse business, and nearly all those reasons have environmental benefits. A greenhouse allows a gardener to turn their hobby into a full-time job. Whether you’re growing large or small crops, live in a tiny house with a small garden or a commercial greenhouse can be an excellent money-making opportunity for anyone with a green thumb. Here are a few reasons to start an eco-friendly greenhouse business in your home or commercial garden.

Multi-Purpose Sustainability

If you own a greenhouse it can be used to grow a range of crops. For instance, you can grow organic flowers, bulb plants, vegetables, exotic plants, and seedlings. For a sustainable approach, consider changing the crop every year so the soil’s nutrients don’t get depleted. No matter what you’re planning to grow, a commercial greenhouse is a safe, environmentally friendly option.

Consistency and Quality

When you’re running a commercial greenhouse, it’s easy to grow plants regardless of seasonal changes and climate fluctuations. Extreme temperatures, excessive rainfall, and long droughts won’t cause serious issues for plants grown in a greenhouse. In this line of work, you won’t just be helping the environment; you will also have the flexibility to run your business as you wish.

Providing the Right Environment for Your Plants

Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, or herbs, those plants will likely do best in a moist, warm environment. In a commercial greenhouse, plants are in an environment that’s conducive to growth. After all, the purpose of a greenhouse is to trap water vapor and heat, so humidity and warmth are maintained.

Great Design

Like pergolas and gazebos, it’s possible to design a commercial greenhouse that suits any landscape. There are numerous designs available, and with the right choice, you can create a space that has visual appeal and a commercial purpose.

Saving Money

It’s easy to spend hundreds of dollars on seedlings at the start of the planting season, but in many cases, growers are still left lacking. With a greenhouse business, though, you can grow enough plants to sell and to share. You’ll be helping the environment by spreading the love!

Endless Customization Options

If you’d rather build a greenhouse that’s different from everyone else’s, or your plants have certain requirements, it’s easy to customize your setup. Even in the commercial setting, it’s easier to put up a greenhouse than it is to build a pond or patio. For greater environmental impact, you can customize the position of plants, storage areas, doors, and more.

Better Health

Running a greenhouse business isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for your health. Being out in nature is a great way to escape from the daily stresses of being a business owner. In fact, a greenhouse with diffused lighting may help to minimize SAD, or seasonal affective disorder. When you’re a commercial greenhouse owner, you can help the environment while lifting your own spirits.

In Closing

Though starting a greenhouse business requires a substantial initial investment, the money spent on such an endeavor is worthwhile in the long term. With so many environmental benefits, it’s easy to see why running an agricultural business is such a great idea. For more information on getting into the business of cultivating plants, visit our blog today.

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Many conventional buildings that were built these days were designed with that modern and futuristic look. But, behind these looks is also the increased demand for energy production. Not to mention the adverse impacts on the environment that these modern yet poorly designed buildings have created. Unfortunately, a lot of skyscrapers that modern cities boast of have substantial impacts on the environment. Many of these buildings use resources, emit greenhouse gases, and degenerate waste that harms the environment. This is the same environment where people and other living things also live.

The damage that these modern buildings cause can be too profound that one may not have the exact idea of how it wreaks havoc to the environment. Thus, the need to create buildings that are focused on the concepts of green architecture.

Understanding Green Architecture

Green architecture refers to the concept of constructing and designing buildings while taking into consideration sustainable sources of energy. All aspects of the building must be created to become environmentally efficient. These are the kinds of buildings that require less energy to operate and use for many years to come.

Reasons to Go Green with Architectural Plans

Improvement in Energy Efficiency

Foreign investors who are planning to expand their businesses overseas will surely be impressed by the ecological awareness that your company building manifests. This is one way of showing that your establishment stands out from its competitors who are still in conventional buildings. The professionals from Architectural Cladding Suppliers believe that green architectural designs are brand differentiators. It is one of the best ways to show to your prospective investors that your company is among the leaders in terms of environmental awareness. Nowadays, leading lenders, along with the investors market have come to recognize the economic benefits of having a green building. Many of these investors are also looking to invest in companies that operate in green buildings that have earned certifications from environmental organizations. These certifications can also attract outstanding talents that are also just as environmentally conscious.

Makes Water Efficiency Possible

Buildings that adhere to eco-friendly architectural designs are built with water resource systems that make water efficiency possible. Many green buildings have alternative water sources in place which greatly reduce the strain that people may experience with shared water resources. These alternative water resources allow the purification of water while also enabling the process of recycling. These things are made possible because green buildings have sustainable plumbing systems. It gives all the building occupants the chance to use water responsibly. Water catchment systems may vary depending on what’s most suitable for your building design. An environment-friendly water catchment system makes it possible for a building to store and capture rainwater that can be used for different applications.

Reduction of Operational and Maintenance Cost

Green buildings are designed to lower the costs of energy usage. These buildings maximize the use of daylight, one lighting strategy that paves the way for lowered electricity costs. This feature alone of a green building already has a huge impact on the environment. Energy use accounts for 80 percent of the lifetime costs of maintaining a building. This also translates to more earnings and more money saved for building owners. Buildings that adhere to green architectural plans may entail higher costs during construction compared to conventional buildings. But, with the reduced costs spent on maintenance and operational costs, these green buildings are still considered cheaper over a while.

There are a plethora of benefits to green architectural plans. Businesses will be able to save on energy costs, with these in place. Not to mention the potential to attract more jobs and make significant contributions to the economy.

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The Turks and earlier the Ottomans have a rich tradition for pottery and ceramics. Go travelling to Turkey and you will be either be taken to a dozen pottery factories or a dozen shops to buy a carpet. Going back from ancient Ottoman traditions of building mansions for birds, a tile factory Hitit Terra in Turkey had a new idea: turn some of the tiles for roofs into nesting boxes for birds.

Enjoy the pictures below, along with some older renditions of Turkish bird houses.

Before you buy however, read the comments from an experienced bird house builder who claims the opening of the house along with the stick is like a snack dispensary for birds. The openings need to be narrow enough for certain species of birds to enter, but not too wide that predators can get in. We also suspect that with warming climates, best be advised to put them on the roof slope away from the sun.

All handmade things, including these Tunisian tiles risk disappearing forever, along with the birds. Let’s support and do handmade so we can keep our humanity and human scale in the built world.

Image credits of 3 images above: canercangul

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You got to love New Yorkers. They are real, and they are often serious. And they like to walk the walk. So New Yorkers have a lot to celebrate now that their elected mayor Mayor Bill de Blasio declared that he will stop all new fossil fuel projects within and serving the city.

This is the largest municipal ban announcement of its in the world. building on the mounting global movement for a just transition off fossil fuels to a renewable-energy economy that works for all.

“This is a monumental step for New Yorkers in making our home a model for real climate leadership, and a massive victory for frontline communities and climate activists everywhere,” said Dominique Thomas, a  350.org organizer and New Yorker. 

“As we enter the climate decade, we need transformational climate action, and now the financial center of the world is moving to stop all new fossil fuel projects. This move invigorates us to protect our communities from all gas, oil, and coal projects, including the Williams fracked gas pipeline, and implement a Green New Deal that works for all New Yorkers.”

What will New York do?

They are taking concrete climate action by divesting its $215.5 billion pension funds from fossil fuels, enacting nation-leading legislation to slash pollution from big buildings, pursuing Exxon and other Big Oil corporations in court for climate costs and damages, while expanding investments in wind and solar.

Community resistance to fracked gas projects within and around the City continues to grow, including over 70 elected officials opposing the Williams fracked gas pipeline and tens of thousands of New Yorkers calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to stop Williams and all fracked gas projects.

A wake up call to Wall Street, living in a parallel universe

“The Mayor of New York City announcing a ban on new fossil fuel projects will reverberate across the nation and around the world as a nail in the coffin of the fossil fuel economy,” said Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, 350.org North America Director. She is also a New Yorker:

“As our communities protect our health and safety by keeping fossil fuels in the ground, Wall Street banks and insurers enabling projects like Keystone XL, Line3, and coast to coast fracking need to wake up. The writing’s on the wall: move your money out of toxic fossil fuels and into real climate solutions.”

The Mayor is set to issue an executive order to implement this ban. This will be a critical step toward climate action, including ordinances, regulations, building code changes and legislation, to maximize the effectiveness of a ban and to ensure all staff and city agencies use all tools at their disposal, including how they engage in rate cases public service hearings.

In New York, utilities National Grid and Con-Ed have attempted to hold New Yorkers’ energy needs hostage, especially for small businesses, and Black and brown communities, says 350.org. We interviewed 350.org founder Bill McKibbens here.

350.org’s Phil Aroneanu On How To Build An Environmental Movement In The Middle East

Governor Cuomo and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) retain overall decision-making on new and existing projects. Now, New Yorkers are escalating the demand for Cuomo to stop the Williams fracked gas pipeline once and for all, and build on this announcement by declaring a ban on new fossil fuel projects across the state.

New York – we are cool. We like you. On second thought, no. We LOVE YOU. But if you look to your rooftops, they are less than impressively energy healthy. For years the city has been talking about green roofs, but only a handful like Henry Gordon Smith from Agritecture are pulling any weight.

Where are the passive solar water heaters, solar panels for collecting power? New York – it’s good to make bold statements, but what are citizens doing locally instead of just blaming Wall Street?

What’s the next steps for the eastern West?

Use available resources from selling oil and gas and invest in renewables. There is no reason why the warm climates of North Africa, the Levant, the former Middle East, the new western east can’t make this happen –– with all the sun that shines nearly year round. What happened to Desertec?

Meet DESERTEC’s Oliver Steinmetz: Opportunities for Middle East Countries

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Rotterdam-based architects MVRDV were smacked with a powerful backlash after unveiling their design for The Cloud, a pair of posh residential skyscrapers located in Seoul, Korea. Hovering about 300 meters above the streetscape, the towers are linked at the 27th floor by a ten-story-high girdle of cubist forms, intended to represent a pixelated “cloud“. The building is sited at the entrance of a new business district, the Yongsan Dreamhub, designed by wunderkind Daniel Libeskind.

The concept’s not awful and something tower builders in the Middle East can learn from: raise up private green spaces typically placed at ground level to the sky. Create more surface for greenery, increase interior daylighting, and use street level set-backs for an open-to-public park. Occupants will hop express elevators that shoot them into this lofty “bridge” connecting both towers. The 14,000 m2 volume will house a sky lounge, restaurants, a conference center, and health club. Vegetated roofs, open decks and swimming pools will sit atop the stacked cubes, centrally located to all residents, offering astounding (and vertigo-inducing) city views.

Cross-ventilation and daylighting are important aspects of the apartments’ design, and material selection is purportedly eco-sensitive. Hardly a net-zero undertaking, but that’s not its biggest gaff. Construction is expected to be completed by 2015, likely beating reconstruction of its archetypical forerunner, New York’s World Trade Center.

Most architecture school newbies snooze through a 101 course in metaphoric and anthropomorphic design. This stuff is (literally) ancient history.

In symbolic – or metaphoric – architecture, the designer uses the building’s appearance to create an association between two dissimilar entities, purposely evoking specific feelings or moods. Throughout time, places of worship were built  in forms meant to conjur mysticism and devotion. Iconic cultural facilities frequently play on this technique.  The Sydney Opera House mirrors sailboats in the nearby bay.

Libeskind shaped his expansion of Berlin’s Jewish Museum as a deconstructed Star of David.  Even transportation hubs work with symbols:  Hajj Terminal drew on Bedouin tents.

Sometimes building imagery relates to the human body, a technique described as anthropomorphic design.

Minuro Takeyama’s Hotel Beverly caused shockwaves forty years ago with its phallic massing. The abominable entrance to Auschwitz  is eternally haunting: beady eyes above a gaping mouth. Subtlety is critical to the success of these design strategies: the references shouldn’t be immediately obvious.

MVRDV has a masterful portfolio of past work; contextually sensitivity, intelligently rendered, incorporating leading edge environmental elements and even designing a few metaphors of their own.  But they tripped up on this one.  And, as for subtlety?

In 2001,  a visual of the world’s most famous building collapse was tattooed onto our collective memory.  The Cloud’s similarity to Manhattan’s World Trade Center under attack has touched a global nerve; criticism has been streaming in from designers,  the public, and anti-terror groups. MVRDV has issued an apology, stating that the likeness wasn’t intentional.

Intentionality aside, The Cloud is not so much a metaphor of 9/11 as it is a permament recreation in steel and concrete and glass.  Could this be the birth of a new branch of design?  The Disney-fication of great moments in architectural horror?

It’s only subtlety is in its subliminal pitch to optometrists everywhere: some architects in Rotterdam need their eyes checked.

Images via MVRDV

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Thanks to theological scholarship (or in my case, thanks to MGM and Charlton Heston) everyone knows how Moses split the Red Sea. Architects have now imitated that miracle with a sunken eco-bridge that allows safe pedestrian passage through far less-daunting waters. Four hundred years ago, a network of fortresses was built across the Netherlands to protect against Spanish and French invaders.

Their moats were interlinked, creating a water-based defense known as a “waterline” that could be manipulated to create islands of safety during turmoil. The moat surrounding 17th Century Fort de Roovere was the simplest of safeguards: a calm and controlled channel too deep to wade across, yet too shallow for arms-laden boats.

A recent reconstruction of the fortress and its regional waterline required new access routes for workers and materials, so last year this noble defense was finally breached. Read on for three more inspiring and miraculous eco-design ideas worth spreading.

More on the Moses Bridge moat: An overland structure would impose on the pastoral landscape. So designers RO&AD Architecten designed an “invisible” bridge to link the refurbished fort to neighboring hiking and cycling trails.  Made of certified woods and waterproofed with EPDM foil (a synthetic rubberized sheeting), the Moses Bridge is submerged into the moat and surrounding battlements. Fully absorbed into its landscape, it allows the current to flow past. The bridge only appears as you come close, where it invites you to walk across the waters by pedal-power.

Strictly speaking, these projects aren’t true follies as they have real functionality.  But their playfulness and simplicity have powerful happy-face appeal.

2. Organic flying shapes: The same architects also designed a clever security training center for Qatar Airways cabin crew in Doha. Playing with icons of Arab dunes and airplane wings, they formed a vaulted wooden shell into an organic flying shape.

The large roof area is covered with a field of desert flora, its curves enhance the natural ventilation of spaces beneath. Offices and classrooms are built below the roof garden using traditional adobe techniques.

The center’s requirements are met with minimal energy consumption, and the green rooftop celebrates Doha’s biodiversity.

It’s smarty-pants design, contextually relevant, pragmatic in function, and beautiful.

3. For a competition in Egypt, RO&AD Architecten looked to the night skies. They chose the constellation Osiris as catalyst for design of a new national museum, massing the building to align with the stars’ astronomical geometry.

This museum, constructed mostly from materials sourced on site, is further rooted to its location by its sensitive homage to an important aspect of Egyptian mythology.
In an urban development area near Deinze, Belgium, RO&AD Architecten were commissioned to place a house on a generous plot framed by bushes and covered in mature plantings.

Working in concert with the established landscape, their solution was to create an “inhabitable bush”: an insulated glass box with a greenhouse as its roof.

This home, like its gardens, responds to the changing seasons: open to warming sunlight in winter, and cloaked in greenery to keep out summer heat.  Economical construction to boot!

No one’s sure who coined the term “God is in the details,” but that truism is demonstrated by these environmentally excellent designs.  Each shows respect to the planet and its inhabitants, and sustains the human right to aspire, to be happy.  No Oscar winners in this cool quartet; which is alright by me, I like indie films better.   That said:  Mr. de Mille (and Green Prophet readers), these finely rendered projects are ready for their close up.

Images by RO&AD Architecten

::Ro Ad website

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