Trees are a vital element of urban design, one that must considered at every stage of planning, design and development.
Paul Crabtree, President of Crabtree Group, Inc., a Civil Engineering and Town Planning firm and Lysistrata "Lyssa" Hall, an ISA certified Arborist and Neighborhood Specialist of the City of Phoenix, Arizona recently presented their paper "Trees in Urban Design" at StormCon 2014 in Portland, Oregon, the largest stormwater pollution prevention conference and exposition of it’s kind.
The report blends a variety of new urban and green infrastructure principles that can be used in tandem to develop cost effective urban designs that create beautiful places. The paper compares the installation, maintenance, and net lifecycle costs of common urban tree planting techniques. Additionally, the paper explores the urban tree’s potential for an immense return on investment through intercepted stormwater, increased property value, and conserved energy.
This paper is a useful reference for planners, advocates of urban design, street designers looking to better understand and employ trees in the design of their communities. The full report can be viewed or downloaded here [pdf].
'Trees in Hard Landscapes': Guide for High-Performance Urban Infrastructure
A new cross-disciplinary report cites 32 case studies to offer practical solutions for integrating trees into civic spaces and surface car parks.
Study: Urban Trees Lose Cooling Benefits in Extreme Heat
A robust tree canopy can help reduce the urban heat island effect and lower air temperatures, but the impact is reduced as temperatures rise.
Invasive Beetles Put Oregon Forests at Risk
Two recently discovered borer beetles could lead to a significant loss of tree canopy.
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Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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