Green Infrastructure: Sustainable Strategies
Identify and inventory elements of your community green infrastructure network and develop mechanisms to acquire and build components of your green infrastructure network.
Green infrastructure should be planned before development pressures force a community to be reactive. Using geographic information systems and computer modeling & graphic programs can enhance the success of planning a green infrastructure network by 1) systematically cataloguing and organizing data and information about potential resources and 2) generating visual images that help the community understand those resources. Prioritize the acquisition of each of these components and seek a variety of mechanisms that will help to achieve this goal. An effective tool kit of resources will include multiple options for programs and conservation mechanisms. Public support of green infrastructure is essential to building a comprehensive network, as public entities will need to adopt the enabling legislation for many conservation mechanisms.
Ensure emphasis on developing a green infrastructure network is reflected in both comprehensive policy documents and local ordinances and regulations.
A proactive approach to developing a community green infrastructure network includes 1)outlining policy statements that prioritize green infrastructure within a comprehensive land use and growth management plan and 2)translating policy into legislative action. Setting targets for the preservation of green space and environmentally sensitive land can be enacted through ordinances that require the set aside of land and/or resources at the time of development that would accomplish the goal. Incentivizing preservation and conservation of land through tax credits or abatements or higher density allocations are also common legislative actions driven by environmentally minded policy decisions.
Identify public and private partners, programs, and a plan to finance and maintain long term green infrastructure projects and programs.
Many elements of a green infrastructure network extend beyond recognized geopolitical boundaries of cities, counties and states. A regional approach will take into consideration opportunities for multi-jurisdictional cooperation to preserve and protect green infrastructure. Similarly, the benefits of green infrastructure networks extend to individuals in other communities by access to recreational and cultural resources and improved environmental quality. Here again, public support of green infrastructure is essential to building a comprehensive network. Public resources can be enhanced by private contributions in various forms, including “Friends Of” programs, contributions to greenspace programs or funds, and donation of land or easements by private property owners. Support for green infrastructure should look beyond the local jurisdiction for its advocates.
Conduct public education and awareness programs that quantify the value of green infrastructure to the community.
Allocation of resources for the development, maintenance, and preservation of green infrastructure is more readily accomplished when it is viewed positively by the community. The numerous benefits of green infrastructure can be easily embraced, but citizens and community stakeholders may not be aware of those benefits. Green infrastructure provides advantages through positive tax impacts, equitable social and transportation networks, and beneficial impacts to public health. However, many of these advantages can be considered as passive contributors to quality of life, and therefore may not be immediately apparent if not specifically called out. Creating opportunities for greater access by the public to green infrastructure resources builds support and awareness of the importance of a community’s green infrastructure network.
