Those who green their house or garage roof in Weilheim can probably get a subsidy from the city starting next year.
The aim is to promote biodiversity and improve water retention.
A total of 10,000 euros will initially be available in the funding pot.
Weilheim
- With a sum of 10,000 euros you could “not save the world”, said city council member Klaus Gast when Weilheim's building committee unanimously decided on a “municipal funding program for extensive green roofs” in its most recent meeting.
"But it sends out a good signal and can perhaps be an initial spark," emphasized the CSU representative - and all committee members agreed on this.
The impetus was given by Katharina Segerer, the city's new climate protection manager.
A green roof doesn't just look beautiful, she explained in her short presentation: It serves to retain rainwater, improve air quality, promote biodiversity, provide cooling in summer through shading and evaporation - and also reduce the noise inside and outside of one Building.
Maximum of 2000 euros
Enough reasons for a funding program that aims to motivate owners of privately used properties to “create additional green spaces on the roofs of the city on their own initiative and thus compensate for the sealing on the ground”. Per square meter of green space on private residential buildings and associated ancillary facilities, there should be a subsidy of 15 to 20 euros - at most 2000 euros. For example, costs for the execution work, the required materials and the sowing of plants are eligible, but not the workload for personal work.
The program will probably be launched from 2022.
Grants are then granted until the funding pot has been exhausted.
Green representative Alfred Honisch suggested equipping it with 20,000 euros.
But the proposed EUR 10,000 per year will remain for the time being.
If necessary, you can “top up at any time”, says Mayor Markus Loth (BfW).
For buildings within defined redevelopment areas, the city can get back up to 60 percent of the sums paid out through state urban development funding.
Cooling effect of a green roof
According to a brochure from the Bavarian Ministry of Construction, the installation height for extensive green roofs is between six and 20 centimeters. The possible substrate thickness depends on the statics of the roof. Segerer points out additional advantages for homeowners when combined with photovoltaic systems: “An extensive green roof weighs about as much as a loosely laid gravel surface. That is enough to secure a solar system in the event of a storm without it having to be screwed to the roof, as is usually the case. In addition, the cooling effect of a green roof also benefits a solar system: This heats up less and its output can be increased by "up to 17 percent".
Weilheim's climate protection manager pointed out that in addition to large cities such as Munich or Stuttgart, smaller municipalities are already using the instrument of direct grants for green roofs "very successfully": nearby, for example, the municipality of Graefelfing, which has around 13,000 residents.
