How (Good) Policies Create Sustainable Cities

Transcription

1 USC Department of Civil Engineering - CE 515, Sustainable Infrastructure Systems How (Good) Policies Create Sustainable Cities Presented October 2, 2017 Deborah Bloome Senior Director of Policy and Research Edith de Guzman Director of Research TreePeople

2 About TreePeople Research & Policy Education Forestry TreePeople s mission is to inspire, engage and support people to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, making it safe, healthy, fun and sustainable and to share the process as a model for the world.

3 More about TreePeople Many know us as a community org (grassroots) Also work at policy level (top-down)

4 What is Policy?

5 What is Policy? pol i cy 1 Noun a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual. "the administration's controversial economic policies synonyms: plans, strategy, stratagem, approach, code, system, guidelines

6 Public Policy, cont Are stated principles which guide the actions of government All levels of government federal, state and local These public policies are developed through a process that involves input from citizens, government staff, and elected officials. Is anyone here cynical?

7 TreePeople and Public Policy Create laws, policies and incentives to support green (and sustainable) infrastructure and remove roadblocks Today s examples: Creating policies to achieve >50% local supply and >25% tree canopy cover in LA

8 Map courtesy of Council for Watershed Health

9 Less water available for import Photos:

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12 Even in a drought, it does rain LA s driest year on record (2013) 3.6 inches of rain Rainfall generated in City of LA 14 billion gallons Split among city s 4 million residents 3,250 gallons Number of showers* 189 Number of high-efficiency toilet flushes* 2,031 Reflects water use averages as reported by Alliance for Water Efficiency:

13 Gray or Green Infrastructure: What s the difference?

14 Gray Infrastructure Traditional practices for stormwater management and wastewater treatment, such as pipes and sewers Green Infrastructure Sustainable, pollution-reducing practices that also provide other ecosystem services EPA Green and Gray Infrastructure Research Photos:

15 Why plant trees? Trees provide essential watershed functions #1 Trees retain rain and reduce runoff #2 Trees delay runoff #3 Trees improve water quality

16 Tree City USA Bulletin No. 55, How Trees Can Retain Stormwater Runoff

17 Benefit #1: Trees retain rain and reduce runoff

18 Benefit #2: Trees delay runoff

19 Why does runoff delay matter? Source: Los Angeles Times

20 Source: KCET Reaction to flooding

21 Source: YouTube The LA River now

22 Benefit #3: Trees improve water quality

23 Imagine your favorite tree

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25 Recommendations for maximizing the stormwater benefits of trees 1. Plant evergreens to provide canopy interception during the rainy season.

26 Recommendations for maximizing the stormwater benefits of trees 2. Use the largest possible concrete cut or amount of asphalt removal to increase stormwater retention.

27 Recommendations for maximizing the stormwater benefits of trees 3. Use designs that allow for simple, inexpensive stormwater collection in tree wells using curb cuts or other site-appropriate practices. Tree pit design adopted by City of Tucson, designed by Watershed Management Group

28 100 Feet

29 What if you don t have a 100-ft wide tree? An urban tree alone can only do so much. As part of an urban forest that includes healthy soil and cooling infrastructure such as cool roofs, trees go a long way toward increasing local water supply, moderating ambient temperatures, managing stormwater and sequestering carbon.

30 Connecting the dots So far we ve discussed: What policy means Why green infrastructure is important for a sustainable city Now what? Need to change policies to implement more green infrastructure in LA There a several steps to achieving this

31 Step 1: Prove it is possible LA Dept. of Water and Power Stormwater Capture Master Plan

32 Step 2: Prove it makes economic sense T.R.E.E.S. Cost-Benefit Analysis Computer Model

33 Step 3: Engage communities and policymakers Open Charter Elementary School Cistern Retrofit Tree Planting, West LA

34 Step 4: Serve multiple benefits Sun Valley Park

35 Step 5: Create the policy City of LA Low Impact Development Ordinance

36 Step 6: Implement the policy Greater LA Water Collaborative

37 Questions? Deborah Bloome, Senior Director of Policy & Research Edith de Guzman, Research Director