‘Roof gardens to revive historic buildings’

Move would help gain ecological benefits, tackle rising pollution

ISLAMABAD:

The Rawalpindi administration has chalked out a plan to install eco-friendly roof gardens to bring historic and old buildings to life.

According to officials, garden and vegetated roofs and architectural features will not only bring natural beauty to urban buildings but also have ecological benefits such as absorbing carbon dioxide, heat and rising pollution.

According to them, the Rawalpindi administration has formulated a comprehensive strategy to beautify Murree Road and, as part of the plan, multiple old buildings, which have lost vibrancy owing to pollution and neglect, will be revived by installing planted and green gardens.

The district administration, in collaboration with the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), will convert Murree Road into a model road.

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The old buildings on Murree Road will also be painted and equal-size signboards will be installed.

Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister Asif Mehmood said that the data of all historical places and markets of Rawalpindi has been collected and these beautification projects will be completed under the public-private partnership.

He said that green roofs were sprouting up more and more on buildings, residences and educational institutions and business centres around the world and Pakistan should follow the suit as they offer some pragmatic benefits.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2021.