What s Green Infrastructure? Green infrastructure is strategically planned and managed networks of natural lands, working landscapes and other open spaces that conserve ecosystem values and functions and provide associated benefits to human populations. (Conservation Fund) An adaptable term used to describe an array of products, technologies, and practices that use natural systems or engineered systems that mimic natural processes to enhance overall environmental quality and provide utility services. As a general principle, Green Infrastructure techniques use soils and vegetation to infiltrate, evapotranspirate, and/or recycle stormwater runoff (USEPA)
Individual Building Lot Scale Neighborhood Scale Municipal or County Scale Regional or Watershed Scale
Site Scale Applicable to both new projects and retrofits Crystal Lake is requiring infiltration best management practices (BMPS) in their most sensitive subwatersheds. Bannockburn requires rain gardens.
Municipal Projects-Permeable Pavement Kane County Government Building
Bioswales Natural Landscaping- Crate & Barrel Corporate Campus, Northbrook, IL
Municipal Scale Village of Campton Hills Green Infrastructure Map Comprehensive Plan is now underway. Green Infrastructure is the focus of the plan. All other plan elements will be consistent with protecting GI. CMAP has selected Campton Hills for a Local Technical Assistance (LTA) LTA grant so are assisting leveraging dollars.
Completed Southland Plans Courtesy Hitchcock Design Group
CMAP GoTo 2040 Plan
551,357 total acres 169,723 Green Infrastructure Vision (30.8% of total) 42,058 protected (7.6% of total) Chicagowildernessmag.org/calumet
South Suburban GI Activities December 2010: Calumet Outdoors Series launched January 2011: Chicago Southland Economic Development Commission (CSEDC) Quarterly Forum presentation March 3: Green Drinks Launched: Networking March 30: Green Infrastructure 101 Workshop at SSMMA April 27: Connecting Communities at Chicago State University May 5: Green Drinks Blue Island June 8: Design charette at Prairie State College June 22: GI Funding workshop at SSMMA July 7: Green Drinks at Harborside Golf Center July Park Forest collaboration September 14: Green Drinks Homewood September 21: Urban Agriculture Workshop February 22: Native Landscaping Workshop
What does Green Infrastructure have to do with urban agriculture? network of natural lands, working landscapes, and other open spaces benefits to human populations. stormwater runoff
CMAP GoTo 2040 Plan
Local Plans: GIV 2.0 Refinement of the CW GIV
Example: Nashville Open Space Plan Places with abundant conserved green spaces help people to connect with each other and with nature. (Jeanie Nelson, Executive Director of the Land Trust for Tennessee) Four Strategic Priorities: Connect Water and Wildlife Networks Connect People to Green Infrastructure Preserving Historic and Iconic Resources Support Urban and Rural Farming Nashville needs to conserve land for a sustainable, local food system. This system includes rural farms, community gardens, backyard gardens, and edible plantings on public land. Some policy recommendations: Develop and manage urban ag program that integrates Metro departments and private initiatives, emphasizing community gradens and neighborhood parks in high-need areas. Establish community gardens on sustainable public vacant or right of way land throughout Nashiville s neighborhoods.
Example: Go To 2040 Livable Communities: Achieve Greater Livability through Land Use and Housing Manage and Conserve Water and Energy Resources Expand and Improve Parks and Open Space Promote Sustainable Local Food Food production Food access
Example: NIRPC Comprehensive Regional Plan Goal: Managed growth that protects farmland, environmentally sensitive areas and important ecosystems Objectives: Promote the development and preservation of regional greenways and blueways (water trails) and establish linkages between them Encourage the concentration of development around existing infrastructure Encourage redevelopment of infill sites within established centers Promote compact development and smart growth through techniques such as transit oriented development, traditional neighborhood development and conservation design Foster the development of local food systems and a local food economy Preserve prime agricultural land and rural landscapes Encourage and plan for the protection and responsible use of shoreline areas Improve access to major regional parks and preserved open lands, including the Indiana Dunes
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