Pedestrian Friendly: Planting Trees and Celebrating Stormwater in Urban Areas
Conclusion:Â Nature does Nurture
Urban design enhances the pedestrian experience in downtowns, malls, and streetscapes. According to a Michigan Cool Cities initiative, what makes a downtown "cool" is a variety of features, from a leafy green street, to a sidewalk café.  Governor Granholm kicked-off the "Cool Cities" initiative in June, 2003 throughout the state of Michigan, in part, as an urban strategy to revitalize communities, build community spirit, and most importantly, retain the "knowledge workers" who are leaving Michigan in alarming numbers." Since 2003, numerous cities in Michigan have submitted for grants to upgrade their streetscapes add tree grates and stormwater trenches and create more pedestrian friendly downtowns. Mayors of cities from all over the United States, encourage designers to create urban spaces where people can live, work, shop and play.Â
In 2006, the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously adopted the 2030 challenge which proposed to curb greenhouse gas emissions and provide for a 50 percent reduction in the use of carbon fossil fuel. By requiring that street trees become part of all site plan approvals, cities are able to make some progress toward this goal. Trees provide health benefits, encourage walking and in addition, studies have shown that the observation of nature, such as seeing trees from an office window  restores people's mental, social, and creative functioning. A list of benefits provided by trees in an urban forest includes enhanced air quality, real estate values, reduced air pollution and water protection.
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Trench grates integrate with tree grates to provide drainage to this Columbus, Ohio street. Photo courtesy of IRONSMITH |
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Vibrant downtowns build the economy and provide a focus for cultural growth.  Pedestrian friendly downtowns are those which improve the environment and revitalize community spirit.  Planting a healthy urban forest and providing an opportunity for water to become part of the streetscape are some of the tools used to create successful urban spaces.Â
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ENDNOTES: i - Florida, Richard. Creative Cities Summit 2.0, Keynote Luncheon, October 14, 2008. ii -http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=2845 iv-http://www.epa.gov/hiri/strategies/vegetation.html v - Coder, Dr. Kim D.,"Identified Benefits of Community Trees and Forests", University of Georgia, October, 1996. vi - Nowak, David J., "Urban Trees and Air Quality," November, 1995 vii -http://www.portlandonline.com viii -http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm#4.3 ix -http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm#A4.5.1 x - Dreiseitl, Herbert. Ed.  Waterscapes, Planning, Building and Designing with Water. Birkhauser. Boston. 2001 xi -http://www.lid-stormwater.net/background.htm#What_is_LID |
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