The Northern Section of the California Chapter of the American Planning Association awarded the 2008 Grassroots Initiative Award to Bay Localize and DC&E for Tapping the Potential of Urban Rooftops: Rooftop Resources Neighborhood Assessment.

The award is bestowed for demonstrated advancement in efforts to address the environmental consequences of development and everyday living. Using Oakland's Eastlake District as a case study, the project analyzed different built contexts (existing and future) for their potential for rooftop gardens, solar photovoltaic, and rainwater harvesting. The assessment concludes that building owners can now use rooftop technologies to improve water quality, save energy, grow fresh produce, generate clean electricity, and generally contribute to greater community livability. Click here to download the 50-page pamphlet, Use Your Roof.

Download the Northern Cal APA newsletter that features the award. (Page 16)