Greenprinting: Overview
Communities engage in long range plans for all types of resources and infrastructure within their jurisdiction. Green infrastructure — including habitat and environmental resources, working landscapes, historic and cultural resources and recreational spaces — is no different. The process of greenprinting allows for large-scale, comprehensive consideration of green infrastructure within a community. Citizen and stakeholder input is an essential part of the process, and it typically uses a graphic tool, such as GIS modeling, to analyze green infrastructure against a set of goals, objectives and values that have been articulated by the community as a part of its vision.
RATIONALE
Greenprinting is a systematic methodology for identifying green infrastructure and prioritizing its preservation value within a community. A Greenprint Plan is an essential resource for local government officials and other civic leaders when making decisions on land acquisition and land development and a tool for consensus building among citizens and stakeholders.
EFFORT REQUIRED
Developing a community Greenprint model is typically a joint effort undertaken by local or regional governments, community citizens and stakeholders, and a private consulting group. The successful methodology for undertaking a Greenprint Plan has been well-documented by several sources, including the Trust for Public Land, who is generally credited with pioneering the process.
BENEFITS
A Greenprint Plan identifies numerous resources that contribute to a community’s green infrastructure and builds consensus and public support for the long-term acquisition, maintenance and/ or stewardship of those resources.
RISKS
Implementation of a Greenprint Plan rarely poses risks. However, as with any process involving input from multiple stakeholders, communication and consensus building can take time and effort, and in some instances prove challenging.
ACTION AGENT(S)
Local government officials, citizens and stakeholders, private consultants (typical), regional and state government officials (as necessary)
COSTS
Costs to develop a Greenprint Plan can range from $20,000 to $60,000 or more depending on a variety of factors including scope of study, geographic boundaries and existing data and documentation.
Any party with an interest in an initiative.The system of land, natural resources, and natural habitats that collectively comprise a community's underlying ecosystem. Green Infrastructure is present in every city, although its size, diversity, and strength vary greatly. Importantly, green infrastructure can be used to help offset negative environmental impacts, for example stormwater runoff and urban heat island effect.A smart growth strategy that emphasizes land conservation to ensure quality of life, clean air and water, recreation and economic health.
