A 50-acre property, currently home to an increasingly vacant shopping mall, is poised to host the world’s largest green roof in a massive renovation that could become a model of sustainability. The Hills at Vallco will be built at Cupertino, California’s Vallco Shopping mall site. This mixed-use community will ultimately feature a 30-acre green roof with a community park and nature preserve.

The project will target a goal of LEED Platinum certification through the use of sustainable buildings, recycled water, and rainwater recapture, as well as native, drought tolerant and climate responsive landscaping. The sustainable landscaping in the park is designed to thrive on little to no water. The green roof, natural ventilation and smart technology will ensure energy efficiency, keeping buildings and surroundings, cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Planners have also made allowances to protect existing healthy trees on the site while planting hundreds of new trees as well as native and drought-tolerant flora.

When complete, residents and visitors can enjoy 3.8 miles of walking and jogging trails, meadows, vineyards, orchards and organic gardens, children’s play areas and a refuge for native species of plants and birds.

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
PlantTalk can help consumers understand their landscape company
Free EAB detection & ash tree assessment workshops
Be sure to include interns in payroll budgeting
Consumers want digital communication