New buildings like the Tower Residences in Battery Park City are being constructed to meet a new green standard — with energy, raw materials and water-savings — thanks to legislation enacted by former Governor Pataki. Rooftop solar panels, fluorescent lighting and energy efficient appliances, renewable woods from forests that are certified for their stewardship of dwindling resources, bamboo and poplar will all be utilized.

The building’s water conservation plans include blackwatering. Blackwater comes from flushing toilets — it’s water that gets treated, separated and recycled back into toilet tanks. Not to be confused with graywater, which is water from sinks and showers that’s treated and used to water lawns. (photo is of Vancouver, BC)
New, green roof gardens are sprouting up at two other NYC residential projects — Riverhouse, One Rockefeller Park, also in BPC, and Downtown at 225 Hudson. And the upper east side’s first LEED-certified green building is under development at Lexington Ave & 86th Street, replete with a La Palestra Fitness Center and Spa.

FACT: some European countries, like Switzerland, have passed bylaws stipulating that new buildings must be designed to relocate to their roofs the greenspace covered by the building. Existing buildings must also comply with the bylaws by greening at least 20% of their rooftops…What an effective way to help absorb carbon dioxide and reduce air pollution — hey Mayor Bloomberg!