The Case for Using Living Green Infrastructure (GI) in Planning Resilient Communities

Transcription

1 The Case for Using Living Green Infrastructure (GI) in Planning Resilient Communities Paul Kraehling, MCIP RPP (Ret.) Rural Studies PhD Candidate Session W2F November 16, 2016

2 Outline Def n of GI & elements Rural area resilience challenges A resiliency response using GI: Observations from OMAFRA research Other general comments Conclusion Kraehling, 2015

3 Definition of Green Infrastructure Elements in the living landscape that provide good works for humans as well as for nature Info taken from the PPS Green infrastructure: means natural and human made elements that provide ecological and hydrological functions and processes. Green infrastructure can include components such as natural heritage features and systems, parklands, stormwater management systems, street trees, urban forests, natural channels, permeable surfaces, and green roofs.

4 What are example elements contained within a GI planning framework? Source: European Environment Agency (2011). Green Infrastructure and Territorial Cohesion: The Concept of Green Infrastructure and Its Integration into Policies Using Monitoring Systems. Copenhagen, Denmark, European Union.

5 Illustrative Example of GI Elements A Southern Ontario Community farmland wetlands windbreaks street trees private yards riparian buffers business district street trees water stormwater management parks brownfield cleanup lands river & community gateways P Kraehling, 2015 connecting paths conservation lands forests 5

6 Challenges to Rural Community Resilience Socio economic issues, i.e. job creation, population retention, population age schisms Hard infrastructure upkeep Paying for/retention of local municipal services Rural municipal capacities Defining conditions for 4 types of rural in Ontario, i.e. remote rural, working landscape rural, tourism/water focused rural, near urban rural Rural Ontario Institute

7 General Societal Aspirations Impacting Rural Places Climate change adaptation/mitigation Windsor Star, Sept 29, 2016 Maitland Valley CA Huron County Planning

8 General Societal Aspirations Impacting Rural Places (continued) Biodiversity protection (Pollinator Health Strategy) General environmental stewardship (Great Lakes Clean Water including Lake Simcoe Protection Plan and Lake Erie Action Plan, Ag Land Health & Conservation Strategy, etc.)

9 A Conceptual Framework: Goods+Services of Nature Assisting Humankind

10 Conceptual Framework for Planning Resilient Communities using GI Natural Environment and Ecosystem Human Settlements Green Infrastructure Elements Natural Plant/Animal Corridors Water Areas Countryside, Active & Idle Urban Parks/Open Spaces Housing Green Spaces & Gardens Forested/Treed Areas Ecosystem Services and Functions Socio-economic Health Income and Employment Living & Working Conditions Community Health Sense of Community Identity Social Capital Education and Lifestyle Access to Services & Housing Community Empowerment Culture Air Purification Climate & Radiation Regulation Soil and Nutrient Cycling Water Purification Physical Health Habitat Provision Waste Recycling Cardiovascular Endocrine/Immunity Functions Tzoulas et al., 2007 as adapted Aesthetic and Spiritual Ecosystem Health Air Quality Energy and Material Cycling Habitat and Species Diversity Noise Pollution Control Soil Structure Water Quality Ecosystem Resilience Nervous System Digestion Psychological Health Relaxation from Stress Cognitive Capacity Respiratory Bone Tissue Positive Emotions Attention Capacity

11 OMAFRA Research: Using the G+S of Nature, i.e., Green Infrastructure (GI) to Assist in Building Resilient Rural Communities Literature review Survey Key informant interviews Case study write up Innovative Practice Survey Result Innovative Use of GI Practices in Rural Ontario

12 Innovative GI Elements Official Plans Sustainability planning Stewardship incentives Eco cultural tourism Permaculture projects Local food Active transportation Parks, trails Soil erosion control Soil quality enhancement Woodlots Tree planting Rain gardens Natural habitat restoration Green linkages Prairie habitat Windbreaks, buffers Pollinator plantings Streetscapes Species at risk Watershed protection Source water protection Wetland protection Shoreline protection Climate change adaptation planning Sense of place cultural landscapes

13 GI Element Themed Categories Community Livability (strategic planning) Culture, Education, Recreation, Tourism Local Food, Soil Quality Enhancement Biodiversity, Habitat/Species Protection Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation Water, Stormwater Management Woodlands, Woodlots, Street Trees Other (recycled land, brownfields) Source: European Environment Agency, 2011 Source: Pollination Guelph Source: Urban Toronto Source: Tourism Windsor Essex

14 Economic Benefits Growth of green industry: jobs in design, construction, maintenance Horticultural/landscaping jobs Less spending by municipalities Decreased energy costs Avoids cost of flooding, road repair Mitigates drought costs Attracting visitors spending in local economy Eco tourism Economic spinoffs Attracting young professionals Attracting & retaining residents Increased property value Timber sales Reduced health care costs clean air & water, green space, increased physical activity Local food production Generates money from fees Creates niche markets i.e. permaculture Environmental resilience Cost savings to farmers (inputs) Safeguarding soils Increase yields Education Preserves wildlife habitat Complements grey infrastructure provision

15 Themes Case Studies Take Action for a Sustainable Huron Community Livability Case Study/GI Theme Matrix Culture Educ. Rec. Tourism Local Food, Soil Quality Enhancement Biodiversity, Habitat & Species Protection Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation Water, SW Mgmt. Forests Trees Woodlots Other (AT, brownfields) X X X X X X X X Georgian Bay OP X X X X X Essex CWATS X X X Clean Water ~ Green Spaces X X X X X X Garvey / Glenn drain X X X Maitland River video X X Rainscaping, Phosphorous Offsetting Mississippi Valley CA Climate Change model Transition Perth permaculture X X X X X X X X X X Simcoe Forests X X X X X X X Temagami Tourism X X X Wingham Ecological Park X X X X X Green Legacy X X X X X X X X

16 Case Study County of Huron Garvey Creek Glenn Drain Rural Watershed Management Protect water and soil resources though low impact development water control actions on the land

17 Case Study Garvey Glenn Watershed Background Context One of 5 project watershed areas along southeast Lake Huron, investigating mechanisms to improve water quality Pre & post monitoring rural stormwater runoff metrics, and stewardship efforts

18 Garvey Glenn Watershed Stormwater Features Natural channels Constructed wetlands Erosion control berms/controlled outlets (WASCoB) Grassed swales

19 Case Study Rainscaping & Phosphorous Offsetting Enacting GI low impact development stormwater management controls: Bioswales Raingardens Artificial wetlands Rainwater harvesting/cisterns Phosphorous offsets Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority Background Context part of Lake Simcoe Protection Act implementation efforts

20 Case Study Clean Water ~ Green Spaces Incentive program for landowners that aims to improve regional water quality, and increase and protect existing natural areas & biodiversity Essex Region Conservation Authority Funding directed at: Natural area restoration Buffer strips, windbreaks, tree planting, soil erosion controls Wetland construction Pollinator plantings Background context part of Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Great Lakes Protection Act, Detroit River Cleanup & Cdn. Heritage River

21 Other GI Elements: Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment Cobalt, Ont. Constructed Wetland

22 Other GI Elements: Floodplain Riparian Buffers & Marginal Farmland Retirement Maitland Valley CA Stormwater infiltration and remediation galleries Grand River CA riparian buffer and creek setback

23 Other GI Elements: Private Yards & Community Gardens

24 P Kraehling, 2015 Other GI Elements: Strategic Tree Placement for Windbreaks, Living Snow Fences, Shading

25 Other GI Elements: Active Transportation along Greenway Networks P Kraehling, 2015

26 P Kraehling, 2015 Other GI Elements: Natural Screening & Streetscape Beautification

27 Other GI Elements: Using Nature Assets for Tourism & Recreation P Kraehling, 2015

28 Other GI Elements: Using Trees for Carbon Sequestration & Community Development The Munsee Delaware First Nation Tree Plantation example tree corporation

29 Payments for GI Element Provision: Environmental Stewardship Funding ALUS/Ducks Unlimited programs being created with multiple benefits (leveraging scarce funding to provide environmental habitat) Environmental Farm Plan implementation

30 Conclusions Using green infrastructure elements can be effective in addressing many challenges found in rural places Natural elements are cost effective, resilient and adaptable to many settings A land use planning system considering/leveraging the multi functional benefits of nature can be a useful endeavour Kraehling, 2015

31 The Case for Using Living Green Infrastructure (GI) in Planning Resilient Communities Thanks for listening.... Paul Kraehling MCIP RPP (Ret.) Doctoral Candidate Rural Studies Program

32 Community Resilience & Sustainability Rouse & Bunster Ossa, 2013 Post script: A Conceptual Planning Framework with Integrated Grey and Green Infrastructure Systems