green infrastructure
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Green Infrastructure. The Fundamentals. Created by the Mid South Greenways Steering Committee. An interconnected network of…. Natural areas. Conservation lands. Working lands. Open Spaces. that sustains “our natural life-support system” . - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Green InfrastructureThe Fundamentals
Created by the Mid South Greenways
Steering Committee
An interconnected network of…
Working lands
Conservation lands
Open Spaces
Natural areas
that sustains “our natural life-support system”
Source—Green Infrastructure. 2006. Mark A. Benedict and Edward T. McMahon
Why Green Infrastructure?Term coined in relation to grey infrastructure (or,
the built environment such as roads, utility lines, sewer systems, bridges etc.)
Elevate concern and attention for natural assetsEmphasize importance as essential part of
successful community
The Network DesignA true green infrastructure network consists of a
system of hubs, links, and sites
Site
HUB Site
HUB
HUB
SiteRegional Link
Source—Green Infrastructure. 2006. Mark A. Benedict and Edward T. McMahon
The Network Design: Hubs
HUB
HUB
HUB
Hubs are large tracts of land. They serve as anchors to the green infrastructure network providing for crucial habitat and ecological processes
The Network Design: HubsMeeman-Shelby Forest
State Park and Natural Area consists of 13,467 acres of upland and bottomland forest.
There is a paved road network, biking and hiking trails, and a boat launch into the Mississippi River.
The Network Design: HubsOverton Park, 184 acres
in the center of Memphis with 126 acres of old growth forest contained in the Old Forest State Natural Area
Overton Park Conservancy formed in 2011 to oversee maintenance and enhancement of park
The Network Design: LinksLinks are the connections between Hubs that
facilitate movement of people and wildlife. They can be paths, bike lanes, or natural corridors such as rivers.
The Network Design: LinksShelby Farms Greenline
6.7m paved multiuse trail connecting many Memphis neighborhoods to Shelby Farms Park
The Network Design: LinksJohnson Creek Greenway
8 miles of paved trail intended for hiking and biking along utility easements connecting Highway 61 and Baldwin Road near Horn Lake.
The Network Design: Sites
Site
Site
Site
Sites are smaller in area, but have ecological and/or social value to the system. They might include neighborhood parks or specific habitats for native fauna.
Desoto County Visitor Center Trail1/4m paved interpretive trail that introduces
visitors to the Desoto County Greenways mission and goals
The Network Design: Sites
Riverwoods State Natural Area, 21 acresManaged by the City of Germantown and integrated
into their greenways system, yet owned by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
The Network Design: Sites
The network is only fully functioning when all components are in place.
Think regionally and link assets on a larger scale.
Site
HUB Site
HUB
HUB
Site
Regional Link
The Network Design
An integrated network provides both direct and indirect economic benefits: Direct
Increase Property ValuesDevelop High-Dollar EcotourismConserve Working LandsOffset Resource Maintenance CostsEnhance Multimode Transportation
Indirect Improve Quality of LifeAdvance Public HealthRetain Ecological StabilityCreate Social CapitalEstablish a Sense of Place
Economic Benefits of the Network
Economic Benefits from the Network: Direct
Sources—TPL, Measuring the Value of a City Park System; American Forestry Association; MS Forestry Commission; Ed McMahon and Mark Benedict, Green Infrastructure; Adetokunbo “Toks”
Omishakin, Smart Streets Conference
Increase Property Values Average 5% increase if within 500 feet of park or greenway
Develop High-Dollar Ecotourism 87% of cycling tourists earn more than $50,000 annually
Conserve Working Lands Timber Industry in MS in 2006 accounted for more than 123,000
jobs or 8.5% of the state’s workforce Offset Resource Maintenance Costs
A 50 year old urban tree saves $75/year in air conditioning, $75/year in storm water control, and $50/year in pollution control
Enhance Multimode Transportation Family income spend on transportation in an auto-dependent
neighborhood= 25% Family income spent on transportation in a transit-rich
neighborhood=9%
Improve Quality of Life Residents more likely to walk or bike if trail connects community Recreation a leading factor in attracting new residents
Advance Public Health Public health statistics a factor for companies looking to relocate when
evaluating potential healthcare costs to insure workers 1/5 of all healthcare spending in the US is on obesity-related illness
Retain Ecological Stability Hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching industries depend upon it These industries accounted for $2.6B in economic impact for MS in 2006
Create Social Capital Fostering community interaction thereby creating new social networks
Establish a Sense of Place Emotional bonds to community formed through perceived physical beauty
and opportunities for socializing. Communities with highest emotional bonds had highest rate of GDP growth
Sources—Moudon et al: Cycling and the Built Environment; All Things Considered: NPR; MS State University Natural Resources Enterprises; Anglin: Community Perceptions; Gallup: 2010 Soul of the
Community Survey
Economic Benefits from the Network: Indirect
How are we doing?
Sources—TPL: Parkscore
Memphis was chosen as one of the six nationwide selections for the Bikes Belong Green Lane Project
National Recognition
How are we doing?
12%
12%
27%22%
11%
16%
How often do you walk for recreation?
Daily5-6 times a week3-4 times a week1-2 times a weekLess than 4 times a monthI do not walk for recreation
Sources—Anglin 2010: Community Perceptions of the Shelby Farms Greenline; Memphis MPO Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, 2011 updated.
Public Polling from 2010-2011
Major funding opportunity: Shelby County awarded a $2.6M HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant to draft the Mid South Regional Greenprint, a regional planning document for green infrastructure to guide development.
How are we doing?
Voluntary ad hoc group of stakeholders for sustainable, integrated green infrastructure development.
Mission: To unite the voices and strengthen the efforts of stakeholders in sustainable greenways development in the Mid South.
Vision: An interconnected and sustainable system of greenways, blueways, parks, trails, bike lanes, working lands, wilderness areas, and open spaces to enhance quality of life in the Mid South.
Mid South GreenwaysAn Effort to Organize