Green Infrastructure

In a landmark decision in August 2008, the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board issued a ruling requiring that cities and counties around Puget Sound take significantly more aggressive steps to reduce rainwater/ stormwater runoff. The Board concluded that greater use of 'low impact development' techniques is required.

This project in the City of Surrey is designed to achieve the LEED Gold level of sustainable implementation.

The Fife City Council recently took a bold step to encourage low-impact development (LID) for all construction projects within the city. Under the new requirements, low-impact techniques would be required as part of all stormwater drainage permits within the city.

While its uses are well known in rural areas where open jars on rooftops are the norm, urban Malaysia is just beginning to reap its benefits. Lecturer Norhaiza Nordin of University College of Engineering and Technology in Kuantan said that proper use of rainwater under the Rain Water Management System could minimise erosion and flooding.

“Integrated Landscaping: Following Nature's Lead”, a collaboration among four New Hampshire women, promises a new way of thinking about shaping home grounds and public spaces in the Northeas United Statest.

The mission of the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership is to protect and maintain the integrity of the natural environment while promoting the growth, prosperity and quality of life of Alberta’s communities. Implementation of low impact development practices will lead to healthier, more sustainable watersheds.

“A community will soon be taking shape in North-East Calgary that breaks new ground. It is the first of its kind in Canada and will put Calgary on the map for innovative planning. Two features make the Saddleton community a leading edge solution: its Fused Grid plan and its rainwater/stormwater management system,” reports Fanis Grammenos. “The Fused Grid combines the geometries of inner city grids and of the conventional suburbs. This fusion results in retaining the best characteristics of each and none of their disadvantages while raising the quality of the neighbourhood environment.”

“There is a window of opportunity to do business differently because we know from experience that the old ways do not work. Changing the language is part of the process of advancing change,” stated Christianne Wilhelmson.

UBC made early, significant contributions to the fledgling green building industry with the C.K. Choi Building in 1996 and the Liu Centre in 2000.

The Forum showcased three regions where communities are ‘convening for action' and developing a vision and road map to change the way that land is developed and water is used.