DYNAMIC INFRASTRUCTURE: 400-level
SESSION 39
DATE // START TIME // ROOM NUMBER:
Thursday, September 30, 2010 -2 pm – Metro 4A
ABSTRACT:
Three cases studies explore the unique challenges of urban stormwater management today. Projects to be discussed include a 2.6 acre vegetated roof installed in downtown Minneapolis, a 48 block transit-way sustainable streetscape renovation project, also in downtown Minneapolis, and a waterfront re-development project in Toronto.
MODERATOR:
Jeannette Compton, Senior Project Manager for Design, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
SPEAKERS:
Skip Graffam, Partner and Director of Research, OLIN Landscape Architecture and Urban Design
Peter MacDonagh, Co-Founder and Director, Design + Science, Kestrel Design Group
Gary Pease, Principal, Nitsch Engineering
James Urban, FASLA
DESCRIPTION:
Because using open space for stormwater ponds and raingardens in urban areas is typically cost prohibitive, innovative stormwater management approaches are often necessary. Where open space is at a premium, innovative stormwater management techniques can be integrated in a way that produces multi-functional stormwater techniques using a whole systems design approach.
This session will provide an overview of the unique challenges of urban stormwater management today and will present three case studies that show innovative, integrative approaches for urban stormwater management that at the same time also provide many other benefits that contribute to building sustainable urban sites and cities. All three case studies show movement away from the scale of demonstration projects to large-scale projects birthed from necessity due to city stormwater systems that are no longer able to handle their loads.
The first case study is a presentation of a stormwater solution developed for Yale University. The City of New Haven requires that development projects at Yale treat and mitigate all of its stormwater on site, prior to discharge to the City system. They implemented strategies to capture, store, infiltrate, cleanse and recycle stormwater, demonstrating various sustainable design principles. A water-based phytoremediation solution to treat the stormwater incorporates rainwater harvesting into a workable and aesthetically pleasing solution, which is integrated seamlessly into a vibrant public space on campus.
The next three case studies illustrate stormwater management using green infrastructure on a larger scale:
1) A 2.6 acre vegetated roof installed in downtown Minneapolis on an existing arena to mitigate stormwater runoff from a significant amount of impervious surface in a downtown location where space does not permit use of other Low Impact Development Techniques for stormwater management at grade. Green roofs, which integrate stormwater management into the building envelope, also reduce building energy use, reduce urban heat island effect, increase the lifespan of the building envelope by protecting it from extreme temperature fluctuations and, improve air quality, and increase wildlife habitat.
2) A 48 block transit-way sustainable streetscape renovation project, also in downtown Minneapolis, that incorporated urban trees and extended the trees’ rooting volumes under paved sidewalks to not only allow the growth of large trees, but also treat stormwater runoff from 90% of rain events from its 5.5 acre catchment area, significantly contributing to solving the City’s combined sewer overflow problems and reducing stormwater utility fees by half.
3) A waterfront re-development project in Toronto that uses several innovative techniques to maximize uncompacted tree rooting volume and harvest stormwater to reduce stormwater impacts to Lake Ontario. At the same time, this project also reduces Toronto’s urban heat island effect, increases storefront appeal, and enhances water quality in the City’s valuable waterfront. At 2100 acres, this project is the largest project of its kind in the world.
Following the overview and case study presentation, time for audience wide discussion will provide opportunity for integrative synthesis of experience and expertise of the disciplines represented in this session.
