A review of the current research into the effectiveness of green streets and green infrastructure finds gaps in our understanding of what works, and where.
"Surprisingly, there are very few peer-reviewed research papers that have evaluated Green Streets on a stormwater control and treatment basis," according to an article by Jonathan Page, who looks at some of the existing data and also makes recommendations for tailoring green streets to the specific needs of the natural and built characteristics of different cities.
According to Page, the “newness” of the green streets movement and the difficulty in monitoring and instrumenting green street projects contribute to a lack of data and research about the effectiveness of green streets.
Projects in Seattle and Portland have provided some non-peer reviewed dataset, "but the study and evaluation is typically not as rigorous as those found in a peer-reviewed journal."
Moreover, the "excellent" results in downstream water quality protection and combined sewer overflow (CSO) reductions from those examples can't be expected in all parts of the country (or world), according to Page. Portland, Seattle, and other communities in the Pacific Northwest are perfect locations for green streets because "[r]ainfall patterns and storms in that ecoregion are characterized by low rainfall intensities and long durations." In other ecoregions, like the Southeast, "storms tend to have a much higher rainfall intensity and shorter duration, which means a lot of above ground storage is needed to temporarily retain runoff for infiltration and treatment after the storm has passed."
FULL STORY: Do Green Streets Actually Work for Stormwater Management?
California's Stormwater Potential
A new study reveals that if California could collect and treat more stormwater in cities, it could provide enough water to supply a quarter of the state’s urban population.
How Capturing Rainwater Can Make Cities Safer, More Resilient
Green infrastructure can help prevent flooding and replenish groundwater supplies, preventing subsidence that makes land sink.
Flood Resilience Through Green Infrastructure
Cities like New York and Los Angeles are moving to build green infrastructure as the need for spongier urban spaces becomes more apparent.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
