What is Green Infrastructure?
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The document summarizes the first meeting of a Green Infrastructure Steering Committee. It defines green infrastructure as an interconnected network of green spaces that conserves natural ecosystems while providing benefits to people. Examples include preservation of riverside corridors, wetlands, and rain gardens. The committee discussed how green infrastructure differs from "gray infrastructure" like roads and utilities. They also reviewed relevant projects on regional growth, land use and health, and developing a regional trail network to inform their planning. The goal is to form a vision and implementation strategies through public engagement and GIS mapping to link parks, downtowns and other community assets with green spaces.
What is Green Infrastructure?
- 1. Green Infrastructure Steering Committee First Meeting – June 26, 2007
- 2. What is Green Infrastructure? • An interconnected network of green space and other environmental assets that conserves the functions of the natural ecosystem and provides associated benefits to people. (Adapted from the Conservation Fund, Ed McMahon and Mark Benedict) It can mean different things to different people.
- 3. It is the opposite of “gray infrastructure” and most people have a pretty good idea of what that is. First, Let’s Define What It is “Not”
- 4. Elements of Gray Infrastructure Systems Include: Roadways and Other Paved Surfaces Utilities, and Communications Water Supply, Treatment and Disposal Facilities.
- 6. A System of Hubs and Links Anatomy of a Greenway System
- 7. Tree planting in the urban area Preservation of wildlife habitat Green Infrastructure Examples
- 8. Preservation of Riverside Corridors for People and Nature
- 9. Or Natural Filtration Systems such as this Ingham County Tollgate wetland or the installation of rain gardens along Michigan Avenue
- 10. Tri-county’s Green Infrastructure Planning Project Evolved From: Tri-County Regional Growth Project completed in 2005
- 11. The Ingham County Land Use and Health Resource Team • Local Public Health • Tri-County Regional Planning Commission • MSU Extension • MSU Departments of: Community Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies, Urban Planning, Criminal Justice, Land Use Policy,Remote Sensing, Urban Affairs • City planners, architects, land developer, home builders Association. • Non-profit Organizations
- 12. Land Use Resource Team Information Base • Land use trends • Air and water quality • Auto and pedestrian injuries • Health Statistics • Social capital • Health behavior • Aerial photographs • Other
- 13. Land Use & Health Resource Team Connections Land Use and Health Team Regional Growth Project Health Department /Board of Health Regional Planning Commission advises advises Advises Elected Officials Advises Planners, Public Health Developers
- 14. And the Heart of Michigan Trails and Greenways Partnership • 18 local jurisdictions have signed on to the partnership to create a regional trail network throughout the Tri-County Area • A main artery to link up parks, downtowns, neighborhoods and area attractions.
- 15. All Three Groups are Concerned TIME Space Green
- 16. How will GI be Accomplished? April - May Form Steering Committee; identify vision priorities GIS Data Collection Public Engagement Event; identify “places of the heart”; share knowledge; map connectivity Produce GIS Map of “collective” Green Infrastructure Vision; Strategize for Implementation June-August December October-Feb ‘08
- 17. We are the missing “Link” • GLS “Greenlinks” Genessee, Lapeer & Shiawassee is beginning implementation through technical assistance, skill-building workshops, and publications • West Michigan Grand Rapids Metro Region area West Michigan Strategic Alliance hired a coordinator to pursue implementation of their plan Special emphasis on economic benefits of implementing the plan
- 18. Current Status • A $5,000 Prosperity Team Grant was received from MSU Land Policy Institute • Steering committee formation: Land conservancy/groundwater protection; MSU Urban Planning, Land Policy Institute, Community Extension Service; Tri-County Regional Planning; Parks and Recreation officials; Planning and Zoning administrators; Business leader; Farm Bureau; Who Else Needs to Be at the Table?
- 19. We need your Participation and Input ! What suggestions do you have for us? What are your comments and concerns? Help us fit the pieces together!