Paved surfaces are notorious for creating stormwater runoff and pollution issues, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Chicago is having success with new kinds of paving materials, reports The New York Times (11/26/07):
See also:
Boston Urban Forest Coalition Aims to Plant 100,000 Trees
…Throughout Boston, canopy trees help to shade cars, pavement, buildings, and residents…
Mayor Menino announced Boston’s Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) Goal during this year’s Arbor Day celebration at Geneva Cliffs in Dorchester, giving many residents hope for a greener Boston. Over the next 14 years, EarthWorks and other members of the Boston Urban Forest Coalition aim to plant 100,000 trees in a new effort called “Grow Boston Greener…”
Achieving this goal would increase canopy tree coverage in Boston from 29% to 35%…
Most urban canopy trees are deciduous and reach at least 20 feet at maturity. They clean the air, sequester carbon from the atmosphere, reduce flooding and soil erosion, beautify neighborhoods, and afford a calm spot to residents…
Daryl LaFleur: North Street Area and Urban Ecology
Constructing homes in the downtown area near existing services, infrastructure and public transit makes sense. However, the Urban Land Institute’s report on Springfield [PDF] suggests removing decaying buildings and creating more green spaces in Springfield’s downtown area as a way to enhance that city’s quality of life and lure people back to downtown. Springfield would like to create, on a larger scale, what Northampton currently has and one need only walk around downtown Springfield and observe the lack of urban green patches to understand why. Similarly, despite all of its problems, the Big Dig in Boston aims to add parkland and green recreational areas in an urban environment for the same reason, to improve the quality of life for inhabitants and give business owners a reason to stay put.
Connecticut River Watershed Action Plan: Remove impervious surfaces within 50 feet of streams
To reduce nonpoint source pollution from stormwater runoff, the Connecticut River Strategic Plan proposes the removal of impervious surfaces within 50 feet of streams and the investigation of “functional replacements” (such as the use of permeable pavement) for impervious surfaces within 100 feet of streams, in developed areas (PVPC, 2001). In the urbanized areas, the removal or retrofitting of impervious areas and the implementation of Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) could be beneficial in improving water quality. The interception and redirection of stormwater, that would otherwise enter storm drains and CSOs, would contribute to the reduction of peak flow during heavy storms. One example is to collect runoff from roofs for use in lawn irrigation.
…Areas with high percentages of impervious surfaces are most likely to be affected by increase stormwater runoff into rivers and streams. (p.46)
Gazette: “Trees add to city’s appearance, well-being”
Downstreet.net: “Despite Tree City USA Honor Northampton Planting Lags”
Photo Essay: The Forest Behind View Avenue
…with nearly 2,000 miles of small service streets bisecting blocks from the North Side to the South Side, Chicago is the alley capital of America…
Chicago has decided to retrofit its alleys with environmentally sustainable road-building materials under its Green Alley initiative…
In a green alley, water is allowed to penetrate the soil through the pavement itself, which consists of the relatively new but little-used technology of permeable concrete or porous asphalt. Then the water, filtered through stone beds under the permeable surface layer, recharges the underground water table instead of ending up as polluted runoff in rivers and streams…
The new pavements are also designed to reflect heat from the sun instead of absorbing it, helping the city stay cool on hot days. They also stay warmer on cold days…
In recent years, [Chicago has also] installed rooftop gardens to collect rainwater, planted a half-million new trees and created more than 200 acres of parks and open spaces intended to clean the air and add bits of beauty.
See also:
Boston Urban Forest Coalition Aims to Plant 100,000 Trees
…Throughout Boston, canopy trees help to shade cars, pavement, buildings, and residents…
Mayor Menino announced Boston’s Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) Goal during this year’s Arbor Day celebration at Geneva Cliffs in Dorchester, giving many residents hope for a greener Boston. Over the next 14 years, EarthWorks and other members of the Boston Urban Forest Coalition aim to plant 100,000 trees in a new effort called “Grow Boston Greener…”
Achieving this goal would increase canopy tree coverage in Boston from 29% to 35%…
Most urban canopy trees are deciduous and reach at least 20 feet at maturity. They clean the air, sequester carbon from the atmosphere, reduce flooding and soil erosion, beautify neighborhoods, and afford a calm spot to residents…
Daryl LaFleur: North Street Area and Urban Ecology
Constructing homes in the downtown area near existing services, infrastructure and public transit makes sense. However, the Urban Land Institute’s report on Springfield [PDF] suggests removing decaying buildings and creating more green spaces in Springfield’s downtown area as a way to enhance that city’s quality of life and lure people back to downtown. Springfield would like to create, on a larger scale, what Northampton currently has and one need only walk around downtown Springfield and observe the lack of urban green patches to understand why. Similarly, despite all of its problems, the Big Dig in Boston aims to add parkland and green recreational areas in an urban environment for the same reason, to improve the quality of life for inhabitants and give business owners a reason to stay put.
Connecticut River Watershed Action Plan: Remove impervious surfaces within 50 feet of streams
To reduce nonpoint source pollution from stormwater runoff, the Connecticut River Strategic Plan proposes the removal of impervious surfaces within 50 feet of streams and the investigation of “functional replacements” (such as the use of permeable pavement) for impervious surfaces within 100 feet of streams, in developed areas (PVPC, 2001). In the urbanized areas, the removal or retrofitting of impervious areas and the implementation of Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) could be beneficial in improving water quality. The interception and redirection of stormwater, that would otherwise enter storm drains and CSOs, would contribute to the reduction of peak flow during heavy storms. One example is to collect runoff from roofs for use in lawn irrigation.
…Areas with high percentages of impervious surfaces are most likely to be affected by increase stormwater runoff into rivers and streams. (p.46)
Gazette: “Trees add to city’s appearance, well-being”
Downstreet.net: “Despite Tree City USA Honor Northampton Planting Lags”
Photo Essay: The Forest Behind View Avenue