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
jerseygreen.org
earthfirst.com
Water supply,
treatment and
disposal facilities
Utilities and
Communications
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
indianatrails.org
dev.annarborcvb.org
Including Natural Filtration
Systems such as this Urban
Wetland or the installation of
rain gardens
Rain Garden Boykin Community Center, Auburn, AL
werc.usgs.gov
What is Green Infrastructure?
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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
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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?
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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
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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 Networks
Ways to Interconnect
Green
Infrastructure
Networks Consist
of Hubs, Links and
Sites
centralmidlands.org
Interconnected Networks
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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
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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.
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Fall Line Trace, Columbus, GA
Benefits of Green Infrastructure
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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
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borevitzlab.uchicago.edu
Microclimate Modification
Increasing green
space by 5% and
replacing dark roofs
with lighter surfaces
could lower overall
temperatures 40F
U.S. EPA--Los Angeles
Urban Heat Island
borevitzlab.uchicago.edu
Microclimate Modification
thedailygreen.com
Trees serve as windbreaks
Stormwater Management
Hard surfaces
increase runoff and
pollutants
• Increase in runoff
causes flooding
•
city-data.com
Stormwater Management
metroplanning.org
Green infrastructure
provides a low cost
nonstructural
approach to
stormwater design
including low impact
development (LID).
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
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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
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Auburn University Landscape Architecture (PI)
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
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Coastal Storms Program
City of Mobile, Alabama
Greater Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Project Collaborators
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2-D Design, LLC, Birmingham, AL
Downtown Mobile Alliance
Envision Coastal Alabama
Coastal Alabama Clean Water Partnership
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Methodology
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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
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Mobile Press Register
Friday, Sept. 18, 2009
Dauphin Street in midtown Mobile, Ala.
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.”
Case Studies—Portland, Oregon
Case Studies—Seattle, Washington
Who is building green streets?
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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
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Stakeholder and
community input
Collaboration and
education
Adaptive Reuse of Materials
Boat
Cistern
Possibilities for Green Retrofits
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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