Earth Pledge (a New York group that "identifies and promotes innovative techniques and technologies that restore the balance between human and natural systems") promotes the benefits and design possibilities of environmentally conceived roof gardens in this illustrated volume. A pair of introductory chapters examines green roofs in the context of urban design and as a solution to such environmental challenges as the urban heat island effect, stormwater runoff pollution, resource use, disappearance of native species, and human health. Forty case studies of design, accompanied by color photographs, demonstrate the variety of green roof projects that can be found around the world. Finally, seven more case studies look at how urban planners have encouraged green roof infrastructure in Berlin, Tokyo, London, Portland, Chicago, Toronto, and New York.
