Baltimore is an interesting city to look at when discussing greening Philly because, although the scale of Philly is much larger, they have many similarities in the challenges they face as post-industrial cities. Baltimore has in recent years boasted the incorporation of green development that serves as a good example eco-friendly development.
Montgomery Park is a major green project in central Baltimore that exemplifies how development may look in the greener future. For Montgomery Park, specific features include: “a green roof planted with alpine vegetation that reduces storm runoff by 50 to 70 percent; a cistern system that tunnels rainwater to flush the toilets; a rooftop ice storage system that complements the air conditioning; and construction waste that has been recycled into the renovation… Its owners say that uses half the energy of a conventionally built office building” (Cohen 2006).
Although there are great ecological incentives for carrying out these projects, economic sustainability remains a constant factor. “Altruistic intentions alone aren't enough to bring sustainable building practice into the mainstream… [Builders] must see a practical, financial benefit” (Cohen 2006). This seems to be where the market is going. And Philadelphia, although it needs more of these types of projects to climb the green ladder, took a good first step with the completion of the Comcast Center, the largest LEEDS certified green building in the nation.
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