Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure

Charlene LeBleu, ASLA AICPAssociate Professor

Landscape ArchitectureAuburn University

What is Green Infrastructure?What is Green Infrastructure?

Portland.org

It is the Opposite of “Gray Infrastructure”It is the Opposite of “Gray Infrastructure”

breeze-software.com

Elements of Gray Elements of Gray Infrastructure systems Infrastructure systems include:include:

Roadways and other paved surfaces

earthfirst.com

jerseygreen.org

Utilities and Communications

Water supply, treatment and disposal facilities

What is Green Infrastructure?What is Green Infrastructure?

greenbuildinglawupdate.com

Green Infrastructure ExamplesGreen Infrastructure Examples

Toronto, CA www. spacing.ca

Maintaining the Urban Forest

Preservation of Wildlife Habitat

Sand Hill Crane www.fnal.gov

Preservation of Riverside Corridors for People and Nature

indianatrails.org

dev.annarborcvb.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?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?What is Green Infrastructure?

Green Infrastructure is our Nation's natural life support system

ase.tufts.edu

Green InfrastructureGreen 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?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 InfrastructureKey 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 to have but

a must have• Promotes and supports conservation action

Interconnected NetworksInterconnected NetworksWays to InterconnectWays to Interconnect

centralmidlands.org

Green Infrastructure Networks Consist of Hubs, Links and Sites

Interconnected NetworksInterconnected 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 NetworksInterconnected Networks

• Wetlands• Woodlands• Waterways• Wildlife habitats• Parks• Greenways• Other open spaces

ohiogreenways.net

Ten Principles of Green InfrastructureTen Principles of Green Infrastructuretaken from taken from Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscape & Communities Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscape & Communities by Mark Benedict and Edward McMahon, 2006by Mark Benedict and Edward McMahon, 2006

1) Connectivity is key2) Context matters3) Grounded in science and land use theory

and practice4) Functions as a framework5) Planned and protected before

development6) A critical public investment

Ten Principles of Green InfrastructureTen Principles of Green Infrastructure

7) Benefits nature and people

8) Respects landowners and other stakeholders

9) Requires connections within and beyond the community

10) Requires long term planning & maintenance

Example of Green InfrastructureExample of Green Infrastructure

ozarksunbound.com

Ozark, Arkansas

Example--Columbus, GAExample--Columbus, GA

Columbus, GA has many parksColumbus, GA has many parks

Fall Line Trace, Columbus, GAFall Line Trace, Columbus, GA

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

• The linear park stretches approximately 11 miles.

Fall Line Trace, Columbus, GAFall Line Trace, Columbus, GA

Benefits of Green InfrastructureBenefits of Green Infrastructure• Air Quality Improvement• Microclimate Modification• Stormwater Management• Enriched Habitat and Biodiversity• Recreational & Transportation Opportunities

gicardiff.eventbrite.com

Air Quality ImprovementAir Quality Improvement

The Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project

Chicago’s Urban Forest tricker.net

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

Microclimate ModificationMicroclimate Modification

• Nonporous surfaces absorb and hold heat

• Urban temperatures may be 8 – 10% hotter than surrounding countryside

borevitzlab.uchicago.edu

Microclimate ModificationMicroclimate Modification

Increasing green space by 5% and replacing dark roofs with lighter surfaces could lower overall temperatures 40F

borevitzlab.uchicago.edu

Urban Heat Island

U.S. EPA--Los Angeles

Microclimate ModificationMicroclimate Modification

Trees serve as windbreaks

thedailygreen.com

Stormwater ManagementStormwater Management• Hard surfaces

increase runoff and pollutants

• Increase in runoff causes flooding

city-data.com

Stormwater ManagementStormwater Management Green infrastructure

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

metroplanning.org

Enriched Habitat & BiodiversityEnriched Habitat & Biodiversity

conservationphotos.com

• A variety of birds & animals indicates a healthy environment

• Wildlife move along rivers and streams

• Health of habitats depends on size and connectivity

Recreational and Transportation Recreational and Transportation OpportunitiesOpportunities

Riparian corridors can be used for recreation as well as flood control georgetown.org

warringah.ns.gov.au

Investing in Green InfrastructureInvesting in Green Infrastructure

Well planned green space increases property values & decreases the cost of public infrastructure

aslathedirt.file.wordpress.com

Investing in Green InfrastructureInvesting in Green Infrastructure

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

Curitiba_barigui_park.org

Mobile Green StreetsMobile Green StreetsA Green Infrastructure Plan for Mobile, AlabamaA Green Infrastructure Plan for Mobile, Alabama

Charlene LeBleu, ASLA, AICP

Auburn University

Landscape Architecture

School of Architecture

College of Architecture Design and Construction

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

MethodologyMethodology• 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

LocationLocation

Downtown Mobile, AL City of Mobile, AL

Location: Project AreaLocation: Project Area

Located in downtown Mobile, AL

Existing ConditionsExisting Conditions

There is need for a site design that promotes infiltration!

Existing ConditionsExisting Conditions

rain gutter detachment poor infiltration results in localized flooding

Existing ConditionsExisting Conditions• Lunch-time thunderstorm

caused localized flooding on Dauphin Street.

• The Warehouse Market used sandbags to block water from entering the front entrance to the antique store.

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

Mobile Press RegisterFriday, Sept. 18, 2009 Dauphin Street in midtown Mobile, Ala.

Case Studies—Portland, OregonCase Studies—Portland, Oregon

Case Studies—Seattle, WashingtonCase Studies—Seattle, Washington

Who is building green streets?Who is building green streets?

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

And many more cities across the nation!

Jacksonville, FL Green Streets

The CharretteThe Charrette

• Stakeholder and community input

• Collaboration and education

Adaptive Reuse of MaterialsAdaptive Reuse of Materials

BoatCistern

Possibilities for Green RetrofitsPossibilities for Green Retrofits

• Existing tree lined streets can be retrofitted for implementing bioretention

Urban Farm—Temporary Green SpaceUrban Farm—Temporary Green Space

Presentation to the City of Mobile, ALPresentation to the City of Mobile, AL

Selected Demonstration SiteSelected Demonstration Site

Proposed demonstration site.

Vacant Lot in Entertainment District.

Master Plan for Demonstration SiteMaster Plan for Demonstration Site

2-D Design, LLC

Master Plan for Demonstration SiteMaster Plan for Demonstration Site

2-D Design, LLC