Taylor 28 Surpasses LEED Target, Brings Home a Silver! - News - Mithun:
The Taylor 28 project originally targeted basic LEED® certification—receipt of Silver certification is a significant achievement, given the project’s schedule and budget constraints. Reaching Silver level results from the exceptional effort the team made to find creative and pragmatic solutions that fit the unique circumstances of the site and building. The project also closely reflects the mission that drives the developer, BRE Properties; to provide highly desirable communities in which residents and commercial tenants can live and work, and to support a thriving green lifestyle within a dense urban framework.
Stemming from site constraints created by the Denny Way corridor and the absence of a Neighborhood Planning Area guideline, a critical goal for the project was to assess opportunities for reconnecting this unclaimed community and enhancing the public realm. The project turns what would be a typical sidewalk zone into a vibrant pedestrian open space system. This new open space system defines this neighborhood as a destination; reconnecting it to Belltown, Uptown, the Seattle Center and South Lake Union.
Green infrastructure components, considered integral to the streetscape design, achieve sustainability across the spectrum of social, ecological and economic success. Strategies to rebalance the neighborhood’s ecological footprint include rainwater infiltration, urban heat island reduction, improved air quality, carbon reduction, urban tree canopy restoration and fostering urban habitat.
Showing posts with label green infrastructure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green infrastructure. Show all posts
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Streecars and urban tree canopy - friends or enemies? Washington, DC
Streetcars 4 DC » Blog Archive » Committe of 100: Misleading and Just Plain Wrong Part II: Streetcar Wires and the Urban Tree Canopy:
The Committee of 100 on the Federal City has issued a petition against streetcars in the District of Columbia and is asking neighborhood and citizen organizations to sign on. Before doing so, all organizations should be aware that the petition and its supporting document are full of falsehoods and misleading insinuations. In a previous post, I countered the biggest falsehood — the claim that cities around the world are installing streetcar systems that do not use overhead wires. To date, only one city has done so: Bordeaux, and that system proved so problematic that the vast majority of that city’s system, including all future extensions, uses overhead wire.
The Committee of 100 on the Federal City has issued a petition against streetcars in the District of Columbia and is asking neighborhood and citizen organizations to sign on. Before doing so, all organizations should be aware that the petition and its supporting document are full of falsehoods and misleading insinuations. In a previous post, I countered the biggest falsehood — the claim that cities around the world are installing streetcar systems that do not use overhead wires. To date, only one city has done so: Bordeaux, and that system proved so problematic that the vast majority of that city’s system, including all future extensions, uses overhead wire.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The case for keeping Bolin Creek natural; Carrboro, NC
chapelhillnews.com The case for keeping Bolin Creek natural:
What an upside down world we live in: Through the middle of one of the most beautiful creek valleys and stretches of North Carolina deep woods, a paved transportation corridor is being considered.
Personally, I oppose any paving along the environmentally vulnerable Bolin Creek and its tributary, Dry Gulch Creek, which runs along the Town of Carrboro's Adam Tract and into Bolin Creek. Both these areas are under consideration as future transportation corridors.
Threatened is our last contiguous, large tract of land in our rapidly growing urban area, representing a creek valley of stunning natural beauty, important ecological value, much-needed serenity and great historical significance. A paved transportation corridor along Bolin Creek will change this area radically forever.
What an upside down world we live in: Through the middle of one of the most beautiful creek valleys and stretches of North Carolina deep woods, a paved transportation corridor is being considered.
Personally, I oppose any paving along the environmentally vulnerable Bolin Creek and its tributary, Dry Gulch Creek, which runs along the Town of Carrboro's Adam Tract and into Bolin Creek. Both these areas are under consideration as future transportation corridors.
Threatened is our last contiguous, large tract of land in our rapidly growing urban area, representing a creek valley of stunning natural beauty, important ecological value, much-needed serenity and great historical significance. A paved transportation corridor along Bolin Creek will change this area radically forever.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Toronto Hydro upgrades distribution lines to tree cable as part of carbon neutral strategy, reducing tree-wire conflicts; Toronto, Canada
Protecting A City's Greenery:
This transformation began in 2007, when Toronto Hydro Corp. officially embarked on a sustainability program that included becoming carbon neutral, says Blair Peberdy, the corporation's vice-president, marketing, communications and public affairs.
That year, Toronto Hydro established its carbon footprint was 156,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents and set out to identify ways to reduce it.
'Part of this [footprint] is due to line losses -- the energy that is lost between the generating stations across Ontario and the transmission lines that feed into Toronto,' Mr. Peberdy says. 'The line loss in Toronto Hydro worked out to about 3% of all the power that we buy from the grid.'
That loss was due partly to trees, so Toronto Hydro has been upgrading its distribution system as well as installing what is known as 'tree cable,' which has a thick plastic coating to protect the conductor from accidental tree contact.
This transformation began in 2007, when Toronto Hydro Corp. officially embarked on a sustainability program that included becoming carbon neutral, says Blair Peberdy, the corporation's vice-president, marketing, communications and public affairs.
That year, Toronto Hydro established its carbon footprint was 156,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents and set out to identify ways to reduce it.
'Part of this [footprint] is due to line losses -- the energy that is lost between the generating stations across Ontario and the transmission lines that feed into Toronto,' Mr. Peberdy says. 'The line loss in Toronto Hydro worked out to about 3% of all the power that we buy from the grid.'
That loss was due partly to trees, so Toronto Hydro has been upgrading its distribution system as well as installing what is known as 'tree cable,' which has a thick plastic coating to protect the conductor from accidental tree contact.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
PricewaterhouseCoopers report says 0.5% public green spending could induce 141% increase in urban green investment; United Kingdom
Green infrastructure in action - Environmental technologies news magazine:
Figures produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers for CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment), the Government’s advisor on urban design show how a shift in spending from grey to green of just 0.5% in some local authorities could increase investment in urban green space by 141%. Switching public spending from ‘grey’ projects like road building and heavy engineering projects to ‘green’ schemes like street trees, parks, green roofs and waterways could address climate change more effectively, improve public health and make our communities more beautiful says the report, published by CABE.
The report, Grey to Green, identifies the network of natural green resources in every town and city – our ‘green infrastructure’ (GI) - as one of the most practical and cost-effective tools we have for dealing with environmental and social problems. It suggests, for instance, that the £1.28bn budget for widening a 63-mile section of the M25 could pay for 3.2m trees to store three million tonnes of carbon; or 5,000 miles of off-road routes for cyclists and pedestrians. But the report warns that there is a chronic shortage of people in local authorities with the right skills to design and manage green infrastructure, which is essential to harness the benefits.
Figures produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers for CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment), the Government’s advisor on urban design show how a shift in spending from grey to green of just 0.5% in some local authorities could increase investment in urban green space by 141%. Switching public spending from ‘grey’ projects like road building and heavy engineering projects to ‘green’ schemes like street trees, parks, green roofs and waterways could address climate change more effectively, improve public health and make our communities more beautiful says the report, published by CABE.
The report, Grey to Green, identifies the network of natural green resources in every town and city – our ‘green infrastructure’ (GI) - as one of the most practical and cost-effective tools we have for dealing with environmental and social problems. It suggests, for instance, that the £1.28bn budget for widening a 63-mile section of the M25 could pay for 3.2m trees to store three million tonnes of carbon; or 5,000 miles of off-road routes for cyclists and pedestrians. But the report warns that there is a chronic shortage of people in local authorities with the right skills to design and manage green infrastructure, which is essential to harness the benefits.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
From tree to green, urban forest plan takes root; Edmonton, Canada
From tree to green, urban forest plan takes root:
Edmonton's urban forest could sprout a slightly different look under the city's first management plan expected by the end of the year.
People are used to thinking about the city's 'grey' infrastructure, such as sewers and roads, but this 'green' infrastructure is also important and worth managing, said Jenny Wheeler, Edmonton's principal of forestry.
The urban forest acts as a wind break, cools the city in the summer, cleans the air and stormwater, and also has a positive impact on people psychologically, she said.
The forest management plan will collect information on what's already growing in the city, a critical update that will help the city plan future planting.
Edmonton's urban forest could sprout a slightly different look under the city's first management plan expected by the end of the year.
People are used to thinking about the city's 'grey' infrastructure, such as sewers and roads, but this 'green' infrastructure is also important and worth managing, said Jenny Wheeler, Edmonton's principal of forestry.
The urban forest acts as a wind break, cools the city in the summer, cleans the air and stormwater, and also has a positive impact on people psychologically, she said.
The forest management plan will collect information on what's already growing in the city, a critical update that will help the city plan future planting.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Forest policy values Newcastle trees at $20m; Newcastle, Australia
Forest policy values Newcastle trees at $20m - Local News - News - General - The Herald: THE more than 100,000 trees greening Newcastle's public spaces are valued at almost $20 million, new figures show.
Civic strategists have been analysing leafy areas as part of a Newcastle urban forest policy.
Since the policy was adopted in May 2008, Newcastle City Council has developed an asset management system for the city's trees.
New communities and green corridor principal strategist Ian Rhodes said tree canopy covered 21 per cent of the local government area.
The 103,000 public trees have a replacement value of $19.5 million.
Mr Rhodes said trees in urban areas provided environmental, social and economic benefits.
'They act like the lungs of the city, they filter the air and the water,' he said.
Civic strategists have been analysing leafy areas as part of a Newcastle urban forest policy.
Since the policy was adopted in May 2008, Newcastle City Council has developed an asset management system for the city's trees.
New communities and green corridor principal strategist Ian Rhodes said tree canopy covered 21 per cent of the local government area.
The 103,000 public trees have a replacement value of $19.5 million.
Mr Rhodes said trees in urban areas provided environmental, social and economic benefits.
'They act like the lungs of the city, they filter the air and the water,' he said.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Call to action issued to kick off implementation of greening plan; Grand Rapids, MI
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=114888&catid=48:
The city of Grand Rapids continues to pave the way for a greener future.
Almost two years ago, city leaders launched the Green Grand Rapids project to update the city's master plan, and the parks and recreation master plan to emphasize green initiatives.
Now the project is moving forward.
Community members are invited to a 'Green Gathering: Call to action' meeting Wednesday night to discuss the project's next steps.
The city of Grand Rapids continues to pave the way for a greener future.
Almost two years ago, city leaders launched the Green Grand Rapids project to update the city's master plan, and the parks and recreation master plan to emphasize green initiatives.
Now the project is moving forward.
Community members are invited to a 'Green Gathering: Call to action' meeting Wednesday night to discuss the project's next steps.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
American Society of Landscape Architects publishes great on line Green Infrastructure resource guide
Green Infrastructure Resource Guide « The Dirt:
Green Infrastructure Resource Guide
09/08/2009 by asladirt
ASLA created a new online resource guide on green infrastructure. The guide contains lists of organizations, research, concepts and projects related to green infrastructure, and includes sections on: park systems, wildlife habitat and corridors, urban forestry, and green roofs (and walls). Developed for students and professionals, the resource guide contains recent reports and projects from leading U.S. and international organizations, academics, and design firms.
The guide is separated into four sections:
- Park Systems
- Wildlife Habitats and Corridors
- Urban Forestry
- Green Roofs (and Walls).
Green Infrastructure Resource Guide
09/08/2009 by asladirt
ASLA created a new online resource guide on green infrastructure. The guide contains lists of organizations, research, concepts and projects related to green infrastructure, and includes sections on: park systems, wildlife habitat and corridors, urban forestry, and green roofs (and walls). Developed for students and professionals, the resource guide contains recent reports and projects from leading U.S. and international organizations, academics, and design firms.
The guide is separated into four sections:
- Park Systems
- Wildlife Habitats and Corridors
- Urban Forestry
- Green Roofs (and Walls).
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Columnist defines 'Urban Forest', discusses ecosystem services they provide; Tampa, FL
These trees create your own 'Urban Forest'
By STEVE JONES
Hernando Today columnist
Published: August 9, 2009
What do you think of when you hear the phrase 'Urban Forest'? To me, it sounds a lot better than a concrete jungle, a phrase that conjures up visions of towering office and apartment buildings.
In recent years, the urban forest concept has developed largely to counter the concrete jungle, planting trees and shrubs in urban environments across America.
Urban forests mean different things to different people. To some it might mean setting aside areas strictly for native plants that probably grew there before the advent of the city. To others it might mean creating greenways with more exotic plants. For yet other urban forest enthusiasts, it could mean planting street trees throughout an inner city community.
By STEVE JONES
Hernando Today columnist
Published: August 9, 2009
What do you think of when you hear the phrase 'Urban Forest'? To me, it sounds a lot better than a concrete jungle, a phrase that conjures up visions of towering office and apartment buildings.
In recent years, the urban forest concept has developed largely to counter the concrete jungle, planting trees and shrubs in urban environments across America.
Urban forests mean different things to different people. To some it might mean setting aside areas strictly for native plants that probably grew there before the advent of the city. To others it might mean creating greenways with more exotic plants. For yet other urban forest enthusiasts, it could mean planting street trees throughout an inner city community.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Commentary: Put the actual green back into "Green" movement - not just about density but also trees and greenspace; Berkeley, CA
Green Should Be Green. Reader Commentaries from The Berkeley Daily Planet - Thursday August 06, 2009
By John Koenigshofer
Thursday August 06, 2009
Early environmentalists believed that limiting population growth was the foundation for all efforts to preserve our natural world. Today’s urban environmentalists have a different view. Green is not literally green anymore. It does not mean grass, trees, open space or anything resembling nature but is a code word for increased population density; an accommodation of limitless population growth.
The lack of vision in the current green movement is grossly apparent in Berkeley. As “progressives” and “environmentalists” congratulate themselves on their achievements, more and more people are crammed into smaller spaces with less trees, birds, and sunlight.
By John Koenigshofer
Thursday August 06, 2009
Early environmentalists believed that limiting population growth was the foundation for all efforts to preserve our natural world. Today’s urban environmentalists have a different view. Green is not literally green anymore. It does not mean grass, trees, open space or anything resembling nature but is a code word for increased population density; an accommodation of limitless population growth.
The lack of vision in the current green movement is grossly apparent in Berkeley. As “progressives” and “environmentalists” congratulate themselves on their achievements, more and more people are crammed into smaller spaces with less trees, birds, and sunlight.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
A tour through a portion of Boston's urban forest includes the Emerald Necklace; Boston, MA
Brahmins and Beyond | BU Today
Commonwealth Avenue isn’t all rumbling Green Line trains and construction barrels. Its easternmost stretch offers a leafy look into Boston history, urban parkland, and Victorian architecture that blends elegance with surprise.
The real heart of this walk waits beyond elevated Charlesgate Road.
The Muddy River, which sneaks through Boston’s Emerald Necklace, pokes its head up after the overpass, offering a glimpse of river life beneath a concrete balustrade, before dipping back under the asphalt. Across the street is the Comm Ave Mall, not very wide but long enough to encompass eight grassy acres studded with statues and benches, stretching from here to your destination: Boston’s Public Garden.
This is still an urban space, with multiple lanes of high-speed traffic on either side. The edifices of Back Bay loom in the distance, including the Hancock Tower, whose front courtyard is rumored to be one of the coldest places to stand in Boston during the winter. Another contender, City Hall Plaza, also was designed by architect I.M. Pei. But once you enter the Mall, there’s a reduction in scale and noise, a welcome coolness beneath the tree canopy.
Commonwealth Avenue isn’t all rumbling Green Line trains and construction barrels. Its easternmost stretch offers a leafy look into Boston history, urban parkland, and Victorian architecture that blends elegance with surprise.
The real heart of this walk waits beyond elevated Charlesgate Road.
The Muddy River, which sneaks through Boston’s Emerald Necklace, pokes its head up after the overpass, offering a glimpse of river life beneath a concrete balustrade, before dipping back under the asphalt. Across the street is the Comm Ave Mall, not very wide but long enough to encompass eight grassy acres studded with statues and benches, stretching from here to your destination: Boston’s Public Garden.
This is still an urban space, with multiple lanes of high-speed traffic on either side. The edifices of Back Bay loom in the distance, including the Hancock Tower, whose front courtyard is rumored to be one of the coldest places to stand in Boston during the winter. Another contender, City Hall Plaza, also was designed by architect I.M. Pei. But once you enter the Mall, there’s a reduction in scale and noise, a welcome coolness beneath the tree canopy.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Richmond can learn about greening from NYC's New York Restoration Partnership; Richmond, VA
Making Green in Richmond | RVANews
“The biggest paradigm shift that needs to happen is to see the importance of: one, beautification and two, parks, which have been considered a nicety, not a necessity.”
So says Drew Becher (rhymes with “checker”), Executive Director of the New York Restoration Project—an organization with a fifteen year track record of revitalization of green space and waterfront in New York City—when asked about the principles that should guide urban development.
“The biggest paradigm shift that needs to happen is to see the importance of: one, beautification and two, parks, which have been considered a nicety, not a necessity.”
So says Drew Becher (rhymes with “checker”), Executive Director of the New York Restoration Project—an organization with a fifteen year track record of revitalization of green space and waterfront in New York City—when asked about the principles that should guide urban development.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Preserve's sprawling canopy makes neighbouring areas go green with envy; Chennai, India
The sprawling canopy makes neighbouring areas go green with envy - Chennai - Cities - The Times of India
5 Jun 2009, 0313 hrs IST, Bhama Devi Ravi, TNN
CHENNAI: The sight of half a dozen jackals drinking water at two in the afternoon is not something you would expect to come across in Chennai. But
that is what D Radhakrishnan has witnessed frequently at the Adyar Theosophical Society.
'With its walkways, trees and plants from all over the world, it gives you a feeling of being in a forest,' says 80-year-old Radhakrishnan, who moved to the area ten years ago. 'This green space is the USP of Adyar. And it makes Adyar the most desirable residential area in Chennai,' said Chitra Nagappan a resident of Adyar. 'I frequently stop to watch the clouds, bees, a tree shedding its leaves or listen to a woodpecker pecking away,' says Radhakrishnan, who along with a group of 20, also visits the forest' as he calls it, every day. The Society is one of the city's few ecological pockets.'You can smell the snakes (one akin to that of boiled potatoes) in the Society when you walk, but they do not disturb you,' says Nagappan, a financial consultant. 'Even as a child I was fascinated by the Society, and I am glad we have been able to reside in the locality. It is less polluted, and we are lucky to get fresh air most of the day,' says Latha Santhanakrishnan, another resident.
5 Jun 2009, 0313 hrs IST, Bhama Devi Ravi, TNN
CHENNAI: The sight of half a dozen jackals drinking water at two in the afternoon is not something you would expect to come across in Chennai. But
that is what D Radhakrishnan has witnessed frequently at the Adyar Theosophical Society.
'With its walkways, trees and plants from all over the world, it gives you a feeling of being in a forest,' says 80-year-old Radhakrishnan, who moved to the area ten years ago. 'This green space is the USP of Adyar. And it makes Adyar the most desirable residential area in Chennai,' said Chitra Nagappan a resident of Adyar. 'I frequently stop to watch the clouds, bees, a tree shedding its leaves or listen to a woodpecker pecking away,' says Radhakrishnan, who along with a group of 20, also visits the forest' as he calls it, every day. The Society is one of the city's few ecological pockets.'You can smell the snakes (one akin to that of boiled potatoes) in the Society when you walk, but they do not disturb you,' says Nagappan, a financial consultant. 'Even as a child I was fascinated by the Society, and I am glad we have been able to reside in the locality. It is less polluted, and we are lucky to get fresh air most of the day,' says Latha Santhanakrishnan, another resident.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Conflicts with gray infrastructure spell doom for green infrastructure's oaks; Midgeville, GA
Baldwin Bulletin: "Big Oak trees around downtown on the chopping block
05/14/09
Chris McKearney
Ten downtown oak trees soon will be cut down and removed by the City of Milledgeville.
Each of the 20-something-year-old water oak trees is located in downtown’s commercial district on Hancock or Wayne streets. Milledgeville Mayor Richard Bentley said that the oaks are “the wrong kind of trees” and “not urban friendly.”
“They tend to cause damage to the infrastructure and the aesthetic value of the sidewalks,” Bentley said. “Those leaves also are notorious for causing clogging and draining.”
The City will replace the older oak trees with younger elm trees, which are described as “more urban friendly.”
Justin Jones is the chairman of the Millledgeville MainStreet board and also a merchant at J.C. Grant Co.
“From a merchant’s standpoint, those trees are pretty. But, those big oaks tear up the infrastructure,” he said. “I’m still a firm believer that if you cut down a tree, you re-plant one in its place. The elm trees they’re planting will grow to be a pretty good size. It will just take a few years.”"
05/14/09
Chris McKearney
Ten downtown oak trees soon will be cut down and removed by the City of Milledgeville.
Each of the 20-something-year-old water oak trees is located in downtown’s commercial district on Hancock or Wayne streets. Milledgeville Mayor Richard Bentley said that the oaks are “the wrong kind of trees” and “not urban friendly.”
“They tend to cause damage to the infrastructure and the aesthetic value of the sidewalks,” Bentley said. “Those leaves also are notorious for causing clogging and draining.”
The City will replace the older oak trees with younger elm trees, which are described as “more urban friendly.”
Justin Jones is the chairman of the Millledgeville MainStreet board and also a merchant at J.C. Grant Co.
“From a merchant’s standpoint, those trees are pretty. But, those big oaks tear up the infrastructure,” he said. “I’m still a firm believer that if you cut down a tree, you re-plant one in its place. The elm trees they’re planting will grow to be a pretty good size. It will just take a few years.”"
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Tree advocates and city staff cooperate to protect trees, incorporate them into green infrastructure projects; Ukiah, CA; 3/20/09
Urban foresters: Tree groups, city join forces to protect Ukiah's ...Ukiah Daily Journal - Ukiah,CA,USA
At times, according to Gordon and Sanders, agencies have not operated in a cohesive fashion. One example Sanders cites is the potential conflict between tree preservation and the need to move water efficiently from one place to another. In the case of the upcoming creek diversion near Gobbi and Oak Manor Drive, the Friends of Gibson Creek were, according to Sanders, "concerned that ancient oak trees along the creek would not be able to take the heavy equipment." The Friends requested the installation of a bio-swale so that runoff would percolate before it got to the stream.
"The city modified its plans to include the swale and protect the oak trees." It is this type of cooperative effort that both ReLeaf and Friends of Gibson Creek hope to foster and even formalize in some fashion, so that city staff may receive training and guidance from designated experts as needed, and the community can continue to have input on how to best protect and preserve its green resources.
At times, according to Gordon and Sanders, agencies have not operated in a cohesive fashion. One example Sanders cites is the potential conflict between tree preservation and the need to move water efficiently from one place to another. In the case of the upcoming creek diversion near Gobbi and Oak Manor Drive, the Friends of Gibson Creek were, according to Sanders, "concerned that ancient oak trees along the creek would not be able to take the heavy equipment." The Friends requested the installation of a bio-swale so that runoff would percolate before it got to the stream.
"The city modified its plans to include the swale and protect the oak trees." It is this type of cooperative effort that both ReLeaf and Friends of Gibson Creek hope to foster and even formalize in some fashion, so that city staff may receive training and guidance from designated experts as needed, and the community can continue to have input on how to best protect and preserve its green resources.
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