Ecoroofs in Alberta: Resources and Case Studies

Project Summary

As cities develop, vegetation is typically replaced with non-permeable, non-vegetated surfaces. Ecoroofs are one way to provide some of the lost ecosystem services in urban centres including improved stormwater management (both quantity and quality), better regulation of building temperatures, reduced urban heat island effects, improved air quality, and increased urban wildlife habitat and biodiversity (Oberndorfer et al., 2007). Some jurisdictions refer to ecoroofs as a 'no-regrets' climate adaptation measure (Mees, Driessen, Runhaar, & Stamatelos, 2013) because they serve multiple societal goals.

Between 2017 and 2019, the Miistakis Institute partnered with the City of Edmonton, Environmental Strategies team to explore the impacts ecoroofs may have on climate change resilience in the city. This page provides the outcomes of the project.


Resources


Ecoroof Fact Sheet

Edmonton Ecoroof Initiative for Climate Change Resiliency: Ecoroof Function Research

Ecoroof Guide for Municipalities

Jurisdictional Review


Edmonton Ecoroof Study Area Site

Edmonton Ecoroof Initiative for Climate Change Resiliency: Workshop Report

Edmonton Ecoroof Initiative for Climate Resiliency Recommendations to Develop Ecoroof Impact Scenarios

Existing Ecoroofs in the City of Edmonton

Click the dots on the map or the names in the list to the right for more information about these Edmonton ecoroofs. Case studies have been developed for a number of ecoroofs indicated by a red text to the right.

10160 Ecoroof

ATB East Building

Edmonton Clinic Health Academy

Edmonton Federal Building

Edmonton Valley Zoo - Arctic Shores

Edmonton Valley Zoo - EdVenture Lodge

Edmonton Valley Zoo - Urban Farm

Fort Edmonton Park Horse Stable

Fort Edmonton Park Pump Station

Immigration Hall

John Janzen Nature Centre

Manulife Place Building

Meadows Recreation Centre

Parkwood Office Building

PCL Centennial Learning Centre

Ted & Lois Hole Healing Garden, Royal Alexandra Hospital

Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre

University of Alberta Hospital, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute

Victoria Golf Course Maintenance Building



Thanks to our project funders!



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© 2020 Miistakis Institute

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Ted & Lois Hole Healing Garden, Royal Alexandra Hospital
Installed: 2012
Retrofit

Designed to be a public place of healing and refuge for hospital patients, staff, and visitors. This ecoroof installation commemorates the lives of a special Alberta couple, Ted and Lois Hole.

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Immigration Hall
Installed: 2009

No description at this time

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10160 Ecoroof
Installed: 2004
Retrofit

The 10160 ecoroof was the first ecoroof to be installed in Edmonton. The original owners of the roof periodically removed weeds from the roof and after a few years they hosted a 'planting party' to fill in sections of the wildflower areas of the ecoroof that had died back.

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Manulife Place Building
Installed: Unknown

No description at this time.

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ATB East Building
Installed: 2010
Retrofit

The installation of the ATB East building was motivated by a request from the building tenant and was a LEED certification initiative. No structural building modifications were required for this retrofitted ecoroof.

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Edmonton Federal Building
Installed: 2014

Approval to publish case study is pending.

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Victoria Golf Course Maintenance Building
Installed: 2010
New build

An aerial view of this ecoroof shows that it blends in perfectly with the lush vegetation of the City of Edmonton's Victoria Golf Course in the Edmonton river valley. Not only is this ecoroof practical for maintaining a more consistent temperature within the maintenance/admin building, but it is also accessed and used by the maintenance staff. The visual aesthetic is also enjoyed by the patrons of the golf course.

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Edmonton Clinic Health Academy
Installed: 2011
New build

The Edmonton Clinic Health Academy has two ecoroofs, which are mirror-images of one another. They are not accessible to the public, but they each have an accessible adjacent patio that is primarily used by building occupants for lunch breaks, etc. Each patio also boasts two large garden boxes for flower and vegetable plantings.

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University of Alberta Hospital, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute
Installed: 2007
New build

An interesting feature of this site is the installation of four unique ecoroofs, varying in storey and exposure (both south and north exposures). These ecoroofs were designed to provide both building benefits, as well as visual benefits to the patients, staff and visitors in the hospital.

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Edmonton Valley Zoo - Urban Farm
Installed: Unknown

This ecoroof is inhabited by goats!

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Edmonton Valley Zoo - EdVenture Lodge
Installed: 2014
New build

The ecoroof is located at the entrance to the Edmonton Valley Zoo. It goes hand-in-hand with the Rammed Earth Wall at the front depicting the banks of the North Saskatchewan River with the green at top of bank being represented by the ecoroof.

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Edmonton Valley Zoo - Arctic Shores
Installed: 2011
New build

The Edmonton Valley Zoo Arctic Shores ecoroof is unique in that the design goal was to replicate the polygonal landscape shapes and plant species found in the arctic. Although this ecoroof is not accessible to the public, is provides aesthetic appeal and helps to hide a large building.

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John Janzen Nature Centre
Installed: 2011
New build

The motivation behind the John Janzen Nature Centre ecoroof was to provide enhanced storm water management and education about ecoroofs and their advantages. Interesting features for visitors to experience: Recycled rubber walkway, an interpretive fence display with ecoroof information, a native pollinator hotel, and two benches.

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Fort Edmonton Park Pump Station
Installed: 2014

Uses vegetation to detain and retain rainwater.

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Fort Edmonton Park Horse Stable
Installed: Unknown

No description at this time.

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PCL Centennial Learning Centre
Installed: 2012

Multiple ecoroofs provide insulation for the buildings as well as pleasant views for the employees.

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Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre
Installed: 2013
New build

The Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre ecoroof is visible to the public from the indoor running track. The ecoroof was installed in 2013, however was not consistently maintained until 2015 when the City Parks department took a proactive approach to replanting and maintaining the roof.

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Meadows Recreation Centre
Installed: 2014

Detains and retains stormwater that lands on the roofs while providing urban green space. This is a large ecoroof at 1,344 m2.

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Parkwood Office Building
Installed: Unknown

No description at this time.

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