From traditional stormwater management to storm surge abatement and conserving drinking water and watersheds, green infrastructure improves our cities, explains Adrian Benepe of the Trust for Public Land.
According to Adrian Benepe, the term green infrastructure (GI) occupies an interdisciplinary threshold even though its textbook definition relates simply to stormwater management.
He chronicles the history of GI, beginning with Olmsted's design for Back Bay Fens in Boston, and how, in recent years, NYC under Mayor Bloomberg and Philadelphia under Mayor Nutter have implemented GI to update, improve and expand urban parkland and abate water pollution in their cities.
With "Greenstreet" initiatives that bring together engineers, landscape designers, nonprofits and local government and collaborations between their departments of environment and education, both cities have redefined the look and function of urban surfaces and the runoff systems beneath them, capturing and redirecting thousands of gallons of runoff.
Benepe also discusses how other major U.S. cities, including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. have tackled stormwater management with the protection of their rivers in mind.
FULL STORY: Green infrastructure as parks: how need, design, and technology can make cities better
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions