Green infrastructure in Canada
What is green infrastructure? LEAD Canada explains.
LEAD Canada has begun an on-going programme to help promote green infrastructure development and restoration in Canadian municipalities.
The initial objective is to produce a comprehensive report explaining the multiple benefits of green infrastructure, and to highlight best practices and case examples of successful infrastructure application.
Green infrastructure has been technically defined as an interconnected network of green space that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions and provides associated benefits to human populations (Benedict, M. and E. McMahon, 2001, Green Infrastructure: Smart Conservation for the 21st Century, Sprawl Watch Clearinghouse Monograph Series).
More simply, green infrastructure includes soil, wetlands, shrubs, individual trees, and whole forests that, within urban settings, perform ecological services of value to nature and that can greatly improve the quality of life for urban dwellers. Such services include:
- filtration of airborne and waterborne contaminants
- provision of wildlife habitat.
- conservation of energy used in buildings
- urban noise reduction
- “calming” of motor vehicle traffic
- promotion of human health
- enhancement of property values.
A healthy level of green infrastructure in cities has also been linked to reductions in urban crime.
The first report is due out later this year. It will include the results from our recent survey of many of Canada’s largest cities, to determine the existing level of awareness of the importance of green infrastructure, and municipal plans for infrastructure investment.
For more information, please contact Rob Rainer, President, LEAD Canada, at robrainer@sympatico.ca.