The  Role  Of  “Green”  And  “Grey”  Infrastructure  In  Crea7ng  Resilient  

Communi7es    -­‐  New  Planning  Paradigms  -­‐

Bill Cesanek, AICP CDM Smith, Inc.

PlanSmart 2013 NJ Regional Planning Summit

Investing in the New Normal

April 30, 2013

Coastal Resiliency Issues • Hazard mitigation strategies or actions are typically

focused on a disconnected series of emergency services, structure or infrastructure protection projects, and public outreach and reconstruction initiatives

• More emphasis needs to be placed on non-structural measures available through local land use planning or policy alternatives

• Hazard mitigation plans are typically stand-alone documents that cover multiple jurisdictions

• Directly link / integrate hazard reduction with other community-specific planning tools such as comprehensive land use plans and development regulations.

http://www.ie.unc.edu/cscd/projects/pdf/Berke.Lyles.Smith_CRSDMA_ResearchSummary.pdf

Intersections between coastal smart growth & hazard mitigation strategies

http://coastalsmartgrowth.noaa.gov/pdf/hazard_resilience.pdf

Photo courtesy of Leah Bray

CONSERVATION STRATEGY FOR THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST Technical Advisory Committee

Identifying Critical Natural Resources in Coastal Mississippi

25% Wetlands 35% NWI 45% CCAP Wetlands 20% Hydric Soils

10% Hydrologic Soil Groups

20% Flood Zones

25% Elevation/Slope 55% Elevation (DEM) 45% Slope

20% Evergreen Forest

100% Total of Categories

Conservation Lands Mapping Lowlands – Gulfport Area

•  Philadelphia created the first Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Control Plan in the country to focus on green stormwater infrastructure

•  Creates long-term strategic investments in community and economic development

NATURAL  vs.  URBAN  STORMWATER  DRAINAGE  

Stormwater  infiltrates  into  the  ground  Plants  and  trees  work  to  absorb  stormwater  

Water  hits  impervious  surface  and  runs  off  roofs,  streets,  parking  lots  etc.    Runoff  goes  into  the  sewers  

 http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/stream_restoration/Images/scrhimage/chap3/fig3-21.jpg

40% evaporation

10% runoff

Natural  Ground  Cover  

30% evaporation

55% runoff

City  SeIng  70-­‐100%  impervious  surface  area  

25% shallow infiltration 25% deep

infiltration

10% shallow infiltration 5% deep

infiltration

•  Public: invests in creating green stormwater infrastructure

•  Private: apply strong stormwater regulations for development

•  Standardize green infrastructure for all city projects

9,500  Impervious  Acres  Become  “Greened  Acres”  

Private Lands •  Industrial/Commercial/Institutional • Homes • Parking • Alleys, Driveways and Walkways

       Public Lands •  Streets •  Schools •  Public Facilities •  Open Spaces Springside  School  “Water  Wall”  and  Rain  Garden  

Saylor  Grove  Stormwater  Wetland  

Friends  Center  Green  Roof  

EIGHT  GREEN  PROGRAMS  

7th  and  Washington  

GreenPlan  Philadelphia  

Some Resiliency Strategies • Prioritize funding for hazard mitigation strategies that

emphasize smart growth benefits while simultaneously protecting against future hazards.

• Provide credits for smart growth strategies implemented outside of flood zones that reduce impacts on the floodplain through FEMA’s Community Rating System.

•  In local and county plans, address infrastructure investments that reduce risk and are aligned with other local hazard mitigation plans.

•  Include information about projected future risks, such as floods and storm frequency, when developing future land use plans.

http://coastalsmartgrowth.noaa.gov/pdf/hazard_resilience.pdf

More Resiliency Strategies • Consider long-term climate change impacts in planning,

design, and cost determination for infrastructure, such as roads, water and wastewater systems, and electric utilities.

• Consider the connections between ecosystem buffers and restoration, and hurricane protection

• Shift to more integrative planning – including natural resource buffer protection, infrastructure resiliency, and future risk/uncertainty.

http://coastalsmartgrowth.noaa.gov/pdf/hazard_resilience.pdf