Green Infrastructure

Liverpool has become one of the first councils to launch a green infrastructure strategy that takes a root-and-branch look at every green space in the city, from parks to private gardens.

Peter MacDonagh (120p) – Deep Root
In his lecture, Peter MacDonagh illustrated the critical role of oxygen rich, moist soils protected by vegetation in urban environments, using a broad cross-section of supporting quantitative research in green infrastructure.

Story #1 – cover (475p)
ISMP Course Correction Series – November 2010
The Community Charter empowers British Columbia municipalities with extensive and very specific tools to proactively manage the complete spectrum of rainfall events in order to protect stream an watershed health.

The purpose of an ISMP is to provide a clear picture of how to be proactive in applying land use planning tools to protect property and aquatic habitat, while at the same time accommodating land development and population growth.

“Designing with nature captures the essence of climate change adaptation. Adaptation is about responding to the changes that will inevitably occur. Adaptation is at the community level and is therefore about collaboration. Rainwater management is at the heart of designing with nature,” stated John Slater.

John Slater (120p) – Parliamentary Secretary for Water
Mitigation and adaptation are both necessary and complementary strategies to cope with the climate change challenge. Green infrastructure enables local governments to prepare for and adapt to climate change.

Rain to Resource Workshop – logo
While designs for such features would vary from the “wet” coast to the dry interior of B.C., the concept is basically the same. Not only do they capture rainwater, they are also more attractive than asphalt or concrete.

Cities are shifting at ambitious scales to green infrastructure because it is viewed as an effective means to mitigate environmental and social impacts. “Water sustainability will be achieved through implementation of green infrastructure policies and practices. How we get there requires a change in mind-set,” states John Finnie.

NYC Green Infrastructure Plan – cover (360p) – October 2010
The advantage of the green infrastructure approach is that it delivers the same degree of water retention as “grey,” but at a much lower price. When coupled with the traditional approach, it will allow the city to reduce sewer overflows into its waterways by 40% by 2030.

Cold water creek with marsh marigolds
Greenseams Program – Wisconsin
The program makes voluntary purchases of undeveloped, privately owned properties in areas expected to have major growth in the next 20 years and open space along streams, shorelines and wetlands.