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Streetcar cities were walkable, transit accessible and virtually pollution free while still dramatically extending the distance citizens could cover during the day.

Street systems either maximize connectivity or frustrate it. North American neighbourhoods built prior to 1950 were rich in connectivity.

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.

For the average person, the most compelling destination for regular walking is the corner store. If a convenience store is located less than a five-minute walk from home, the average person will walk there many times a week.

The chaotic and tortured relationship between jobs and housing, and the impossibility of reasonably connecting them, forces overuse of energy.

The homogeneity of our residential landscapes — in many cases, fostering a residential monoculture that covers whole municipalities — has undercut ecological sustainability.

From rooftop to yard to driveway to sidewalk to street, urban elements must behave like forest trees, understory plants, forest soils and intermittent water channels.

Four rules for green infrastructure are quite simple: (1) infiltrate rather than drain; (2) infiltrate everywhere; (3) infiltrate one inch per day and (4) heavy soils are good soils.

9th Canadian Urban Forest Conference highlight the importance of including the benefits of urban forests in the tool kits of decision makers who impact cities and towns.

Using the Vancouver Region as his case study, Patrick Condon discusses transportation, housing equity, job distribution, economic development, and ecological systems issues and synthesizes his knowledge and research into a simple-to understand set of urban design rules that can, if followed, help save the planet.