Installing green roofs or living walls on community buildings offers a unique solution for increasing biodiversity in urban environments. These living structures involve covering rooftops or walls with a variety of plants. By transforming unused urban surfaces into thriving ecosystems, green roofs and living walls not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings but also provide important habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife. These projects can be implemented on a variety of community buildings, such as schools and libraries, creating visible green spaces that promote environmental awareness. Additionally, they help to reduce energy consumption by insulating buildings, improving water management, and absorbing carbon dioxide.
Potential Funding Use: Capital funding of up to £10,000 could be spent on key materials and services needed to install green roofs or living walls. This might include the purchase of soil, plants, waterproof membranes, and structural supports needed to ensure the roof or wall can bear the added weight. Design consultation fees and installation labor costs could also be covered, particularly to ensure that the project is engineered for long-term sustainability. Irrigation systems, which are essential to maintaining healthy plant life, could also be included in the budget, ensuring that the green roof or wall is able to thrive in varying weather conditions. By creating these green spaces, the project would provide habitats for local wildlife, enhance air quality, and contribute to climate resilience efforts in the community.