ÉTS launches green roof pilot project to enhance urban biodiversity in Montreal

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS) in Montreal has launched a two-year pilot project aimed at enhancing urban biodiversity and addressing climate change.

Starting August 15, 2024, new green roofs will be installed on transit shelters in the Ville-Marie and Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie boroughs. This initiative, in collaboration with Quebecor Out-of-Home and Les Toits Vertige, seeks to beautify public spaces while contributing to environmental sustainability.

Researchers Danielle Monfet and Jean-Luc Martel from ÉTS will study the effects of these green roofs, particularly on reducing heat islands, managing stormwater, and promoting biodiversity. The project will gather data from sensors installed on transit shelters at Robert-Bourassa/Saint-Jacques and Sherbrooke East/Pie-IX, with findings compared to shelters without green roofs to assess the benefits.