Green Infrastructure

Charlene LeBleu, ASLA AICP Associate Professor Landscape Architecture Auburn University

Portland.org

What is Green Infrastructure?

It is the Opposite of “Gray Infrastructure”

breeze-software.com

Elements of Gray Infrastructure systems include: Roadways and other paved surfaces

earthfirst.com

jerseygreen.org

Utilities and Communications Water supply, treatment and disposal facilities

What is Green Infrastructure?

greenbuildinglawupdate.com

Green Infrastructure Examples

Maintaining the Urban Forest Toronto, CA www. spacing.ca Preservation of Wildlife Habitat Sand Hill Crane www.fnal.gov

Preservation of Riverside Corridors for People and Nature dev.annarborcvb.org

indianatrails.org

Including Natural Filtration Systems such as this Urban Wetland or the installation of rain gardens werc.usgs.gov

Rain Garden Boykin Community Center, Auburn, AL

What is Green Infrastructure?

•

An interconnected network of green space and other environmental assets that conserves the functions of the natural ecosystem and provides associated benefits to people.

Adapted from the Conservation Fund, Ed McMahon and Mark Benedict

What is Green Infrastructure?

Green Infrastructure is our Nation's natural life support system

ase.tufts.edu

Green Infrastructure

• • •

An interconnected green space network Managed for natural resource value Pre-identifies ecologically significant lands and suitable development areas

lightfootforestry.files.wordpress.com

• •

What is Green Infrastructure?

A strategic approach to land conservation at national, state, regional and local scales Encourages land use planning for natural processes, infrastructure and recreational needs of people

terga.net

Key Ideas of Green Infrastructure

• • • • •

System hubs and linkages Shapes urban form and provides framework for growth Encourages natural systems Not something that is only

nice

but a

must

have to have Promotes and supports conservation action

Interconnected Networks

Ways to Interconnect

Green Infrastructure Networks Consist of Hubs, Links and

Sites

centralmidlands.org

Interconnected Networks

• •

Link open spaces together to function as an ecological whole This enables them to better: 1) remove pollutants from the air 2) carry and filter stormwater runoff 3) support diverse plant and wildlife species

Interconnected Networks

• • • • • • •

Wetlands Woodlands Waterways Wildlife habitats Parks Greenways Other open spaces

ohiogreenways.net

Ten Principles of Green Infrastructure taken from

Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscape & Communities

by Mark Benedict and Edward McMahon, 2006 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Connectivity is key Context matters Grounded in science and land use theory and practice Functions as a framework Planned and protected before development A critical public investment

Ten Principles of Green Infrastructure 7) 8) 9) 10) Benefits nature and people Respects landowners and other stakeholders Requires connections within and beyond the community Requires long term planning & maintenance

Example of Green Infrastructure

Ozark, Arkansas

ozarksunbound.com

Example--Columbus, GA

Columbus, GA has many parks

Fall Line Trace, Columbus, GA

• •

Part of the City's Rails-to-Trails project.

The linear park stretches approximately 11 miles.

Fall Line Trace, Columbus, GA

• • • • •

Benefits of Green Infrastructure

Air Quality Improvement Microclimate Modification Stormwater Management Enriched Habitat and Biodiversity Recreational & Transportation Opportunities

gicardiff.eventbrite.com

Air Quality Improvement

It is estimated that 11% of forest cover in Chicago sequesters 155,000 tons of carbon each year.

The Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project

Chicago’s Urban Forest tricker.net

Microclimate Modification

• •

Nonporous surfaces absorb and hold heat Urban temperatures may be 8 – 10% hotter than surrounding countryside

borevitzlab.uchicago.edu

Microclimate Modification

Increasing green space by 5% and replacing dark roofs with lighter surfaces could lower overall temperatures 4 0 F

U.S. EPA--Los Angeles Urban Heat Island borevitzlab.uchicago.edu

Microclimate Modification

Trees serve as windbreaks

thedailygreen.com

Stormwater Management

• •

Hard surfaces increase runoff and pollutants Increase in runoff causes flooding

city-data.com

Stormwater Management

Green infrastructure provides a low cost nonstructural approach to stormwater design including low impact development (LID).

metroplanning.org

Enriched Habitat & Biodiversity

• A variety of birds & animals indicates a healthy environment • Wildlife move along rivers and streams • Health of habitats depends on size and connectivity conservationphotos.com

Recreational and Transportation Opportunities Riparian corridors can be used for recreation as well as flood control

georgetown.org

warringah.ns.gov.au

Investing in Green Infrastructure

Well planned green space increases property values & decreases the cost of public infrastructure aslathedirt.file.wordpress.com

Investing in Green Infrastructure

•

Investing in green infrastructure can often be more cost effective than conventional public works projects.

Curitiba_barigui_park.org

Mobile Green Streets

A Green Infrastructure Plan for Mobile, Alabama

Charlene LeBleu, ASLA, AICP Auburn University Landscape Architecture School of Architecture College of Architecture Design and Construction

Project Collaborators

• • • • Auburn University Landscape Architecture (PI) Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium • Coastal Storms Program City of Mobile, Alabama Greater Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

Project Collaborators

• • • • •

2-D Design, LLC, Birmingham, AL Downtown Mobile Alliance Envision Coastal Alabama Coastal Alabama Clean Water Partnership Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Methodology

• • • • • • • Assessment of existing conditions Case Study Analysis On-site Design Charrette Design concepts & graphics Cost Analysis for Green Street Retrofits Professional oversight Template for technology transfer

Location

Downtown Mobile, AL

City of Mobile, AL

Location: Project Area

Located in downtown Mobile, AL

Existing Conditions There is need for a site design that promotes infiltration!

Existing Conditions

rain gutter detachment poor infiltration results in localized flooding

Existing Conditions

• • Lunch-time thunderstorm caused localized flooding on Dauphin Street.

The Warehouse Market

the antique store.

used sandbags to block water from entering the front entrance to

Mobile Press Register

Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 Dauphin Street in midtown Mobile, Ala.

"If I owned the building, I could sell it as waterfront property.”

Case Studies—Portland, Oregon

Case Studies—Seattle, Washington

Who is building green streets?

• • • • • • • New York City, NY Boston, MA Chicago, IL Jacksonville, FL Atlanta, GA Denver, CO

Auburn, AL

Jacksonville, FL Green Streets

And many more cities across the nation!

The Charrette

• • Stakeholder and community input Collaboration and education

Adaptive Reuse of Materials Boat Cistern

Possibilities for Green Retrofits

•

Existing tree lined streets can be retrofitted for implementing bioretention

Urban Farm—Temporary Green Space

Presentation to the City of Mobile, AL

Selected Demonstration Site

Proposed demonstration site.

Vacant Lot in Entertainment District.

Master Plan for Demonstration Site 2-D Design, LLC

Master Plan for Demonstration Site 2-D Design, LLC