This document summarizes a conference on integrating green infrastructure into regional planning. It discusses defining green infrastructure to include both natural and built environments. It provides examples of green infrastructure networks and policies to support them. Speakers discussed state-of-the-practice techniques, assessing green infrastructure at a regional scale, and impacts of stormwater. Street connectivity was presented as a green infrastructure practice, and metrics like route directness index were discussed to measure connectivity.

1. Integrating Green Infrastructure into Regional Planning 2010 APA Conference New Orleans, LA April 12, 2010

2. Speakers State of the Practice & Green Infrastructure Concepts Don Kostelec, AICP; Transpo Group, Asheville, NC Linking Lands & Communities in the Land-of-Sky Region Linda Giltz, AICP; Land-of-Sky Regional Council, Asheville Jacksonville Collector and Green Streets Plan Don Kostelec substituting for Chris Lukasina

3. Objectives Appreciate how a regional GI network/plan can be used and integrated with other regional and local plans and practices. Know state-of-the-practice techniques Understand the value in assessing and identifying green infrastructure at a regional, landscape scale. Gain insight on what to consider if you want to undertake similar projects.

4. Being Green is Contextual Not all things are as they appear Some bad may come as a result of a lot of good Elected officials don’t like these types of tradeoffs & uncertainties Planners need to understand the good/bad and the tradeoffs to be effective

5. Defining Green Infrastructure - Natural Environment Green Infrastructure is a region’s Natural Life Support System – an interconnected network of land and water that contributes to the health, economic well being & quality of life for communities & people.

6. Defining Green Infrastructure - Natural Environment A GI Network may include: Natural areas Public and private conservation lands Farmlands and lands managed for forestry Outdoor recreation areas and trails Cultural resources and sites GI networks exist at various scales (parcel, community, regional)

7. Defining Green Infrastructure - Built Environment Green infrastructure is a way for municipalities, developers, engineers and planner to provide for urban infrastructure that supports and improves the region’s natural resources, including: Land, Water, Forests, Air, Etc.

8. Defining Green Infrastructure - Built Environment A GI Network may include: Reduced impervious structures Stream buffer requirements Stormwater management practices that treat water at its source Street design that promotes efficient transportation (e.g. connectivity policies) Provides for safe travel by pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users. Again, GI networks exist at various scales (parcel, community, regional)

9. Green Infrastructure Policies There is a direct correlation between land use patterns, the way a site is developed and environmental degradation. Well-planned growth using good site design and development practices can restore and prevent environmental degradation and enhance community character. RI Department of Environmental Management

10. Characteristics of Policy/Regulations Regulations are often developed with no research base. Regulations are often developed as an emotional response to some phenomena. Regulations are often imposed by layers of cumbersome structure. Regulations have many benefits including protecting the health, safety and general welfare of the public.

11. Characteristics of Policy/Regulations Regulations serve as a “bar” or standard for the regulator. Regulations often impose maximums. Regulations often impose minimums (e.g. EPA, federal). Regulations that are vague sometimes allow environmental initiatives

12. Impervious Surfaces

13. Impervious Surfaces

14. Typical Language in an Ordinance “All built-upon areas shall be designed and located to minimize stormwater runoff impacts to the receiving waters and minimize concentrated stormwater flow.” Ideal? Too vague? Too restrictive? Don’t know?

15. Impacts of Stormwater Urban stormwater contributes to: 13% of impaired rivers and streams; 21% of impaired lakes; 46% of impaired estuaries; 55% of impaired ocean shorelines Stormwater BMP Maintenance & Inspection

16. Impacts of Stormwater Addressed through: Controlling stormwater runoff Low impact development techniques Green architectural techniques Green parking lots

19. Concurrency Program Refinements

21. Street Connectivity Policies

22. Connectivity between new/existing developed lands

23. Non-motorized public accessways and limiting cul-de-sacs

24. Grid-based standards for streets (500 feet ) and Non-motorized (330 feet) – emphasis on smaller block lengths

26. Systems Connectivity is Important Recent academic studies identified four land use and transportation factors associated with walking and cycling, and the resulting reduction in VMT: Density: residential units within a specified area Destinations: grocery stores, restaurant, retail, schools Distance: to key destinations Route: smaller blocks, better sidewalks The optimization of routes in relations to these factors can help reduce VMT by as much as 35%, with similar reductions in vehicle energy consumption and emissions.

27. Achieving VMT Capita Reduction Research conducted in Seattle area by C. Lee and Anne Moudon (University of Washington), 2006: Quantifying Land Use and Urban Form Correlates of Walking - 2 % - 4 % - 5% Measures of connectivity helps indicate transportation-efficient land uses that yield lower VMT and GHG per capita

28. What is Route Directness Index? A B straight-line distance “A” actual route distance “B” RDI = A / B

29. Before After Impacted Parcels Route Directness Index Using ViaCityTM 0.58 0.62 1,115 Intersection Density 55.9 56.0 N/A Link-Node Ratio 1.09 1.10 N/A

30. Example RDI - Existing Conditions Shared-Use Path Connections

31. Using RDI to Test New Project / Plan Shared-Use Path Connections

32. RDI is Sensitive to Critical Street Design Sensitive to Block Length Shared-Use Path Connections Sensitive to Cul-de-Sac Length 305 ft 330ft

33. Integrating Green Infrastructure into Regional Planning 2010 APA Conference New Orleans, LA April 12, 2010