city of irvine green building standard notes 2016

#CITY OF IRVINE GREEN BUILDING STANDARD NOTES 2016 SERIES#

Current problems have to do with aging of existing infrastructure, shifts in precipitation patterns with more frequent and intense storm events, watershed deforestation, degradation of natural wetlands, extensive use of impervious surfaces (e.g., roadways, parking lots) that all result in urban floods and pollution of water sources. Local authorities and governments face increasing challenges related to urban runoff and stormwater management. Following the concept of green infrastructure, the article presents and suggests ways to integrate wetland technology in the urban environment, namely: (i) stormwater and urban runoff management (storage and treatment of water during storm events) to provide protection from flood incidents, especially considering climate change, (ii) innovative low-impact infrastructure and design solutions for urban wastewater treatment, and (iii) wetland technology for habitat creation and ecosystem services provision.Īcross the globe, there are pressing issues due to rapid urbanization and continuous expansion of modern cities. This approach could be a step further in the effort to mitigate the current degradation process of the urban landscape. The aim of this article is to highlight the synergies between this green technology and urban areas in order to reconnect cities with nature, to promote circularity in the urban context and to apply innovative wetland designs as landscape infrastructure and water treatment solutions. These systems can function as water treatment plants, habitat creation sites, urban wildlife refuges, recreational or educational facilities, landscape engineering and ecological art areas. Constructed wetlands technology is an established green multi-purpose option for water management and wastewater treatment, with numerous effectively proven applications around the world and multiple environmental and economic advantages. Green technologies are still developing to provide sustainable solutions to the problems that modern cities and peri-urban areas face at an ever-increasing rate and intensity.

#CITY OF IRVINE GREEN BUILDING STANDARD NOTES 2016 SERIES#

Nowadays, it is better understood that the benefits of green infrastructure include a series of ecosystem services, such as cooling, water storage and management, recreation and landscaping, among others.

City of irvine green building standard notes 2016