The Green Infrastructure Toolkit lists 25 actions local governments can take to transform crusty, impermeable urban landscapes into vibrant, spongy ecosystems that preserve water as a resource and protect against its potential destruction in floods.
Every community is faced with managing the potential impacts of extreme weather events, especially in an era in which those events are increasing in both frequency and intensity. To prepare for the challenges ahead, neighborhoods, towns, and regions need proven strategies for not just surviving threats, but for assuring long-term resilience. And key goals for those strategies should include approaches that preserve and leverage natural systems of protection.
In honor of World Water Day 2023 today, Hazel Borys and co-authors Kaid Benfield, Scott Bernstein, Paul Crabtree, Bruce Donnelly, Scott Doyon, Susan Henderson, Steve Mouzon, Milt Rhodes, and Colleen Sklar launched the Green Infrastructure Toolkit, which contains strategies for preserving protective ecosystems, addressing urban heat islands, and building resilience into long-term planning.
Borys says, "We’re excited to see the positive impact that green infrastructure can have on our communities. By working together and sharing our experiences, we can make a lasting difference for future generations. Let’s get spongy!"
FULL STORY: Green Infrastructure: Let’s get spongy!
Public Parks as Climate Resilience Tools
Designed with green infrastructure, parks can mitigate flooding, reduce urban heat, and enhance climate resilience, offering cost-effective solutions to environmental challenges while benefiting communities.
A Sustainable Future for LA: Updating the OurCounty Plan
Los Angeles County is updating its Sustainability Plan to refine its vision for climate action, environmental justice, and community well-being, with residents encouraged to participate by taking the OurCounty 2025 Update Community Survey.
How US Communities Are Building Resilience Against Flooding
Flooding causes over $400 billion in damage in the United States every year.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie