sustainable land use design objectives. neil weinstein, p.e., asla, aicp, masce, env sp the low...

Sustainable Land UseDesign Objectives

Neil Weinstein, P.E., ASLA, AICP, MASCE, ENV SPThe Low Impact Development Center, [email protected]

Emily Clifton, [email protected]

Learning Outcomes

Be able to state the economic, societal, and environmental needs for more sustainable infrastructure and understand the relationships among them

Understand current practices and be able to address gaps in the integration of principal infrastructure systems through application of the practices and guiding principles

Address the major sustainability challenges to primary infrastructure systems through practical application of the guiding principles

3.3

Module Three – Outline

1. Planning Infrastructure for Sustainable Communities

2. Sustainable Infrastructure Goals

3. Principal Infrastructure Systems: Transportation and Energy

4. Principal Infrastructure Systems: Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, Waste Management, Communication

3.4

Sustainable Infrastructure Planning serves to provide and maintain physical infrastructure

(public works and utilities) to enable

communities to function properly and reliably for the foreseeable future.

Planning Infrastructure for Sustainable Communities

3.5

Focuses on the infrastructure systems themselves, and involves the adequacy of such systems to:

Planning Infrastructure for Sustainable Communities (cont.)

3.6

1. Serve future populations

2. Meet identified public service needs, which may be diverse

3. Remain functional

4. Be supported by continuing, reliable financial resources

5. Lie lightly on the land

What does this mean? Ensuring that land (and related air, materials and water

resources) can accommodate human habitats, support natural ecosystems, and adapt to climate

change

Why are we repeating it? Because it’s important

Other Resources ASCE – Fundamentals of

Sustainable Engineering

“Lie Lightly on the Land”

3.7 ASLA Green Infrastructure Resource Guide

2013 Report Card ranks the adequacy of US infrastructure systems as a “D+” (up from a “D” in 2009)

ASCE’s Report Card for America’s Infrastructure

3.8

Report Card 2013 GRADESAviation D

Bridges C+

Dams D

Drinking Water D

Energy D+

Hazardous Waste D

Inland Waterways D-

Levees D-

Ports C

Public Parks & Recreation C-

Rail C+

Roads D

School D

Solid Waste B-

Transit D

Wastewater D

America’s Infrastructure

GPA = D+

Estimated Investment Needed by 2020

$3.6 Trillion

Five key solutions:1. Increase leadership

2. Promote sustainability and resilience

3. Develop national and regional infrastructure plans

4. Address life-cycle costs

5. Increase and improve infrastructure investments

ASCE’s Report Card for America’s Infrastructure

3.9

Course Outline





3.10

To meet the needs for economic, societal, and environmental sustainability by: Meeting the ongoing needs for natural resources,

industrial products, energy, food, transportation, shelter and effective waste management, and at the same time protect and improve environmental quality

Ensuring resiliency by designing infrastructure with sustainable practices to protect the natural environment and withstand both natural and man-made hazards, and mitigate and adapt to climate change, to ensure that future generations can use and enjoy what we build today

Sustainable Infrastructure Goals

3.11

Planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure (includes buildings) is about 1/8 of the GDP

President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal Program in the 1930s

Sustainable Infrastructure and Economy

3.12

National Park Service

Goals for Providing Sustainable Economic Opportunities: Encourage “green” industries and “green”

jobs that lie “light on the land” Wind farms, solar power, ocean power, other

local power (geothermal, biomass, small wind, solar, landfill gas, etc.)

Energy conservation industries such as building insulation, energy efficient windows and doors

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) Recreation and tourism industries


3.13USGS

Sustainable Economic Opportunities Goals (cont.): Make the most of local industries that require less transportation

costs, energy, and time Locally grown agricultural products Other local raw materials and natural resources that can

be turned into finished products locally (wood products, e.g.)

Work with “heavy impact” industries to mitigate adverse impacts Agriculture Mining Off-shore oil drilling Power Generation


3.14

Coal Power Plant, Baltimore. Joanna Woerner, IAN

Until late 20th century, community building and economic development focused on suburban development, amplifying social and economic inequalities Infrastructure planning siting decisions areas with low

land values, floodplains, close proximity to power plants, landfills disproportionately affecting the poor

Least Cost Imperative = Social and physical rehabilitation costs were ignored

Certain communities not engaged

Social Equity and Health

3.15

Disadvantaged or underrepresented groups include: Low income citizens Elderly Ethnic minorities Social minorities Handicapped Children Future generations


3.16

Rooftop Garden

Health Concerns Health Air, water, and vector‐borne

diseases Obesity Malnutrition Physical fitness Quality of life, emotional wellbeing


3.17

San Mateo, CA

Goals to Improve Social Equity and Health: Transform urban vacant lots into park-like gardens that

catch stormwater runoff and improve the social and economic fabric of neighborhoods historically lacking green space

Address health disparities by advancing environmental justice (i.e., fair and equal treatment to all) and improving community social interaction

Improve access and participation in government Improve access to basic services


3.18

Pollution by human habitation is occurring faster than natural abilities to regenerate, resulting in a massive loss of benefits: Fish and fishing industries and wildlife habitats

as abundant sources of food Clean water bodies for water supply as

well as healthy habitats for fish, wildlife, and/or recreation

Raw materials for fuel, paper/lumber, and construction aggregate materials

Clean air

Environmental Sustainability

3.19

Factors contributing to decline:1. Urbanization pollution from sewage & runoff

2. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and unmanaged/ unregulated forest harvesting

3. Inefficient fuel combustion

Environmental Sustainability

3.20

Platt Avenue in West Haven, Connecticut, April 23, 2006. Christopher Zurcher

How could a focus on green infrastructure provide better economic, social, and environmental benefits?

Study Question

3.21

See: References #1 and 2 (end slides)

Course Outline





3.22

Effective, Efficient, Sustainable Transportation: Effective:

1. Personal mobility, accessibility, & safety are well served

2. Goods moved in a timely, reliable manner

3. Economic development needs are met

4. Human social, cultural, and recreational needs are met

Efficient: Transportation infrastructure and services are

affordable, and life cycle costs are optimized

Sustainable: Air and water quality, and wetland footprints are as small as possible,

designed for the long-term, socially equitable, and with secured funding

Infrastructure System: Transportation

3.23

Local government planning authorities: Zoning, subdivision, tree cutting/grading/building permits, issue permits, public water/sewer hook-ups which are essential

Local public works agencies: Local departments, transit agencies, local social services agencies

Regional organizations: Federally required metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), metropolitan air quality boards, Regional Planning Organizations (RPOs), Areawide Agencies on the Aging (AAAs)

State Agencies: State DOTs, specialized agencies, state legislature

Multi-State Transportation Corridor Coalitions: NAFTA

Federal Government: Grant-makers, Amtrak, Maritime

Transportation Players: A Complex Picture

3.24

Single-mode Funding available for intermodal integration, but there is little flexibility on how funds are spent; MPOs and Corridor Coalitions who help to coordinate funds are not fully effective

Federal Transport Funding is lacking

Environmentally Sustainable Transportation Systems take time to build

Federal Leadership is limited for rail systems and multi-state corridors, but there are new initiatives for planning high-speed rail and freight systems

Performance Management measures to track progress are limited, but there are new efforts to improve these measures and their use

Transportation: Sustainability Challenges

3.25

Improved Planning: Coordinated across scales to ensure uniformity and address the five sustainability challenges, with established performance targets to be monitored over time

Threshold Performance Indicators, broken into: Service Measures Efficiency Measures Environmental Performance Workflow Efficiencies

Transportation: Emerging Practices

3.26

Transportation: Threshold Performance Indicators

Service Measures Mobility/Accessibility Trip Reliability Congestion Relief

Efficiency Measures Costs per Trip Remaining Service Life Investment Gaps

Environmental Performance Miles Traveled/Unit Energy Avg. Fuel Mileage Air Quality Non-Attainment/Yr Pollution Violations/Yr Carbon Footprint Wetlands Impact Amt. Land Developed Avg. Size of Contiguous Land Amt. Impervious Surface Stormwater Runoff vs. Recycled Volumes Wildlife Habitat/ Species Impacts

Workflow Efficiencies: No. of Change Orders No. of Requests for Info (RFIs) RFI Turn-Around % Project Costs from Rework Cost Over/Under Runs Schedule Reduction

3.27

The world is reliant upon adequate, economical, healthy, safe, and reliable energy

In addition to aesthetics, these are the socially sustainable

requirements for energy infrastructure

Infrastructure Systems: Energy

3.28

1992 Energy Policy Act: Markets allowed to develop across state boundaries, giving freedom to choose

Demand-supply model: Utilities provide electricity wherever it is required, with costs of new infrastructure shared by all of the utility’s customers Limited consumer incentive to reduce energy use, since increased

use covers capital investments Reducing use, however, allows utilities to postpone building new

facilities

Energy Infrastructure: Current Practices

3.29

Energy: Sustainability Challenges

3.30

Reliability: Provide energy when and where it is required for

quality of life, economic activity, and safety Increase resilience as damaging storms become

more severe and frequent Bring utility electricity delivery systems into the 21st

century (smart grids)

Efficiency: Maximize the useful energy from a given amount of

resource

Economy: Provide energy at an affordable cost

Environmental Impacts: Lead and mercury contamination from coal

combustion Carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning Pollution in river runoff from mining Toxic pollution from nuclear waste

Environmental Miscounting Energy costs don’t account for cost of restoring

the environment or eliminating polluted byproducts

Dependence on Imported Fuel


3.31

Waste Heat, methane, and greenhouse gas recovery

programs are becoming drivers in energy policy Hazardous waste from newer technologies

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), nuclear

Systems Preservation to increase design life

Passive Energy Systems to reduce or eliminate demand for energy generation


3.32

Energy Efficiency Can Reduce Demand Largest, most economical energy source Planning practices:

Directly Address energy efficiency in the system’s life cycle “Enable” energy efficiency in other infrastructure systems (e.g.,

permit reflective and green roofs, make windy sites available for wind power generation)

Energy Conservation Can Reduce Demand Through Behavior Change Planning practices:

Allow for alternative technologies, conservation programs, and incentives to reduce demand

Energy use disclosure programs

Energy: Emerging Practices

3.33

Alternative Technologies Planning practices:

Energy storage capabilities for buildings, communities Provide facilities, sites for sequestration, etc. Net zero building

Decentralized Energy Generation Where energy is generated and used within the

planning area Helps with load leveling and load shedding

Financial Incentives, Regulatory Address marketplace failures An important aspect of planning for sustainable

communities and infrastructure

Energy: Emerging Practices

3.34

Energy: Performance Indicators

Systems Indicators: End-of-use energy from

local generators to outside region (ratio)

% total energy used from imported fuels

Tons GHG emitted for total energy used

Total energy consumed to produce 1 unit energy (for different technologies)

Outcome Indicators Total energy used by

sector Local wealth accrued

through onsite energy generation

GHG emitted per unit energy generated

% energy lost Waste generated per unit

energy generated3.35

Course Outline





3.36

Sustainability Challenge: >70% of all water use worldwide is for

irrigation, and attempts to limit irrigation can lead to limits on food production

Demand for water doubles every 21 years, while water tables are falling

Emerging Practices: Designing systems that minimize

water’s overall use and leaking Utilizing recycled water and rainwater

onsite

Infrastructure System: Water

3.37

Sustainability Challenge: Upgrades have not kept up with the pace of urbanization

facing cities, nor is planned infrastructure spending enough

Infrastructure System: Wastewater

3.38

Emerging Practices:More emphasis on alternative disposal methods

to supplement and augment traditional systemsDecrease need for extensive piping; emphasis on

local capture and treatment

Infrastructure System: Wastewater

3.39

Sustainability Challenge: Many urban systems have not kept pace with increased

demands or maintenance and repairs Combined systems still exist

Emerging Practices: Integrating LID

concepts into existing practices and regulations

Infrastructure System: Stormwater

3.40

Emerging Practices: Concepts such as “waste-to-energy,” “zero-waste industrial

complexes,” and “up-cycling” are redefining the manner in which waste is viewed and handled

Waste disposal now focuses on minimizing waste at all stages of the use of materials

Performance Measures: % of waste diverted to composting Presence of hazardous waste in stormwater and sewage effluents % of electronic waste recovered for reuse or recycling Energy expended per unit waste to transfer it to landfill

Infrastructure System: Waste Management

3.41

Evolving Infrastructure: Development of smart grids depends entirely on

communication infrastructure, a vital part of smart buildings

Utilization of technology to tweak offsite electrical use, reroute traffic, etc.

Infrastructure System: Communication

3.42

Why is innovation in infrastructure important to a community’s livelihood?

Study Question

3.43

See: References #1, 2, and 4 (end slides)

Aging infrastructure, the provision of new infrastructure for a growing population, vulnerability – all pose major infrastructure challenges

Each system’s life cycle involves planning and procurement, design and construction, performance monitoring, and renewal. For each phase, multiple research challenges exist. These include the impact of new technologies, incorporation of sustainable materials, modeling and retrofitting for deterioration effects, asset management and the impact of extreme loads, climate change and the carbon economy.

Tracking performance/measuring sustainability is important for scenario modeling, system management, and engaging the public in quantitative goal-setting

“Smarter,” sustainable infrastructure is vital for the creation of strong urban centers, as well as economic, social, and environmental wellbeing

Review

3.44

1. ASCE, 2010. Planning Infrastructure to Sustain America. www.asce.org/uploadedFiles/Sustainability_-_New/Resources/PLANNING%20INFRASTRUCTURE%20TO%20SUSTAIN%20AMERICA%20100915-2.pdf

2. ASCE 2013 Report Card for America's Infrastructure. www.asce.org/reportcard

3. CNT and American Rivers, 2010. The Value of Green Infrastructure. www.cnt.org/repository/gi-values-guide.pdf

4. National Council on Public Works Improvement, 1988, Fragile Foundations: A Report on America's Public Works, Final Report to the President and Congress (Washington, DC: National Council on Public Works Improvement, February 1988)

Recommended Readings

3.45

http://www.asce.org/uploadedFiles/Sustainability_-_New/Resources/PLANNING%20INFRASTRUCTURE%20TO%20SUSTAIN%20AMERICA%20100915-2.pdf



http://www.asce.org/reportcard

sustainable land use design objectives. neil weinstein, p.e., asla, aicp, masce, env sp the low...

Documents

planning infrastructure

regional infrastructure

primary infrastructure

land slide

sustainable communities

water resources

natural resources

environmental needs