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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK: CONNECTING PEOPLE TO NATURE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Christina was the project manager for the multi-phased Regional Green Infrastructure planning contracted by Mid-America Regional Council. The first two phases included team members from BNIM, Biohabitats, BikeWalkKC, and Parson & Associates. Phase 1, the Green Infrastructure Framework, established a methodology for identifying regional priority areas of combined ecological and social need.  

 

Green, living infrastructure, solutions are solutions that simultaneously help to alleviate the pressures of wet-weather events while also providing an important function to our communities. In addition to providing the ecosystem services of cleaning the air, slowing, and cleaning water, living systems also improve the economic value of our built environment and connect people to nature. Green infrastructure is a functional component of urban design that provides a greater return on investment than gray infrastructure. When it is designed and managed to meet local needs for rainwater, stream health, and reduction of the heat island effect, it provides the same benefits to communities downstream.

PROJECT DATA

Location

Greater Kansas City Region

Year

Phasing

Phase 1: 2016

Regional Green Infrastructure Framework

(While at BNIM)

Document Links

Framework Document located HERE

Appendix Documents located HERE

2016 - 2018

Client

Tom Jacobs

Mid-America Regional Council

tjacobs@marc.org

816.701.8352

PHASE 1 - GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK: CONNECTING PEOPLE TO NATURE

Stakeholder Workshop 1
Stakeholder Workshop 2
Stakeholder Workshop 3

Images from stakeholder engagement during goal-setting workshop

PRIORITIZED GOALS AND STRATEGIES

The facilitated dialogue of each workshop watershed area focused on using the inventory description and the knowledge of the diverse group around the table to select, compose and prioritize goal areas and strategies for Water, Land and Energy and Atmosphere.  Then the groups discussed key opportunities for integrating green infrastructure into their work, and what information and measures will help to make the case and stimulate connected regional projects.

MARC GI Phase 1 Water Diagram
  • Improve health of rivers and streams.

  • Connect people to water - education, advocacy, access.

MARC GI Phase 1 Land Diagram
  • Improve quality of life with green infrastructure amenities.

  • Improve local habitat.

  • Establish conservation priorities.

MARC GI Phase 1 Energy and Atmosphere Diagram
  • Regulate the microclimate with living systems.

  • Improve air quality.

  • Reduce energy consumption.

MARC GI Phase 1 Strategy Diagram

REGIONAL ASSESSMENT OF VALUE AND NEED

MARC GI Phase 1 Wetlands Locations

Wetlands Locations

Wetlands

Non Wetlands

MARC GI Phase 1 Impact Need Overlay

High Impact of Development and Need for Ecological Restoration

High Impact/Need

Low Need

MARC GI Phase 1 Ecological Value and Impact/Need Region

Ecological Value, Impact, and Need

High

Low

Ecological Value

Low

High

Impact/Need Value

MARC GI Phase 1 Water Purification Benefit Locations

Water Purification Benefits

5

4

3

2

1

MARC GI Phase 1 Impervious Surfaces

Impervious Surfaces

Impervious Surface

Pervious Surface

MARC GI Phase 1 Ecological Value and Impact/Need Focus
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