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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Green Infrastructure/Complete Streets Demonstration Integrated into West Union’s Downtown

Iowa Green Streets Pilot Project
© Conservation Design Forum

One of the most comprehensive applications of green street strategies in the country is about to realized in West Union, Iowa:

Project Features

  • District wide heating and cooling system (DHCS)
  • Integrated snow and ice melt system
  • Porous, interlocking unit pavers in streets and sidewalk area
  • Complete street- safe and pleasant for walking and bicycling
  • Traffic calming measures, including speed tables, curb extensions, and mid-block crosswalks
  • Increased handicap accessibility, including accessible parking stalls and ramps to individual businesses
  • Bioswales and rain gardens planted with native and adapted Iowa grasses and flowers
  • Street tree plantings using native Iowa tree species
  • Night-sky, energy-efficient LED and mercury vapor lighting system
  • Public art- integration of local arts and crafts into street architecture
  • Informative, beautiful signage
  • Increase of economic vitality by bringing green investment to the community
It is clear this demonstration of the potential for integrated green infrastructure in an urban context is greatly needed from the level of support and enthusiasm it continues to receive- through October, the project has been awarded nearly $5 million from a variety of state and federally-managed funding sources.

Location: West Union, Iowa
Client: City of West Union, Iowa
Team:
Conservation Design Forum, team lead, landscape architecture, ecological engineering
TeKippe Engineering, civil engineering, surveying
IBC Engineering, renewable energy systems, snow/ice melt system
Iowa Department of Economic Development, funded visioning, grant application, and other costs

Affordable Homes in a Healthy Neighborhood Redevelopment

Woodlawn Center South

© Visualized Concepts

Woodlawn Center South is the first-phase redevelopment of the Grove Park Plaza subsidized housing complex, located in Chicago’s historic Woodlawn neighborhood.

Project Features

  • Redevelopment of two at-risk housing parcels for multi-family housing.
  • Use of energy-efficient building utilities
  • Native & adapted plantings to provide 4-season interest.
  • Plant selection to provide nature-based play environments.
  • Expose flow of rainwater from rooftop down into the planting soil.
  • Filtering of Total Suspended Solids using amended soils in Bioretention Planters & Infiltration Areas.
  • 100% of Rainwater managed on-site, up to a 100-year rain event
  • Green Job training in building deconstruction for community residents.

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Client: Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH)
Team:
Landon Bone Baker Architects, team lead, architect
Conservation Design Forum, landscape architect, water resource engineer
Prism Engineering, civil engineer
Matrix Engineering Corporation, structural engineer
RTM & Associates, M/E/P engineer


Healthy, Locally Grown Food is the Focus of Future Planned Interpretive Farm in Mequon

Mequon Interpretive Farm Plan
© Conservation Design Forum

The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, the City of Mequon and the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center are developing a new type of food-based interpretive/recreational facility as part of the 1 square mile Mequon Nature Preserve.

The MNP Interpretive Farm will demonstrate how certain integrated agricultural practices can actually provide healthier local food while restoring soil and ecological stability to farm land.

Project Features

  • Preservation and adaptive re-use of historic farm buildings
  • Access to local produce and locally made products
  • Creation of agritourism initiatives
  • Demonstration of restorative agriculture
  • Examples of new, sustainable farm-based enterprises
  • Trailhead for regional trail system
  • Nature based play spaces
  • Sustainable site and environmental education
  • Intensive agriculture plots for rent
  • Authentic experience that reflects Mequon’s cultural heritage

Location: Mequon, Wisconsin
Client: Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, Inc.
Team:

Conservation Design Forum, team lead, master planning
Michael Fields Institute, Sustainable Agriculture
Stauss Architects, Architecture
Caerulean, Creative Design
Forest Agriculture Enterprises, Agroforestry
Workshop 303, LEED

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