By Dave Majewski
The following is an abbreviated version of a comment letter submitted to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation at the Canal Side environmental review scoping session Wednesday evening. Dave is a horticulturalist, contractor and an urban sustainability and low-impact development (LID) consultant. He owns Premium Landscape Services.
My concern is for preservation of our natural heritage – Lake Erie, Buffalo River…i.e. water – through total sustainability, LID applications and storm water management at every turn in this review process and in the planning, design and construction phases of the Canal Side development.
My concern is also for taking advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity for Buffalo to be the regional, national and even global example of how a development on her historic waterfront should be approached from a sustainability perspective. Making this project a “green” and sustainability attraction in and of itself, simply for the environmentally sensitive approach and all the implemented LID components.
It has been noted and quoted on more than one occasion that those directly involved with this project want to “make it a global attraction and one that will bring people here.” I agree.
Some of the key LID components I am referring to, that must be implemented in the design, review and construction phases, and not as inefficient add-ons at a later date include:
- • Green roofs on significant structures – numerous benefits; heat island, roof life span and mitigation of energy consumption as well as storm water runoff control;
- • Living walls to provide sound suppression and heat reflection while greening of unused spaces;
- • Site soil conservation from the very start;
- • Bio-retention areas adjacent to all extensive hard and impermeable surfaces – rain gardens;
- • Greener parking lot design – creative and sustainable – a major LID component;
- • Native and functional landscapes throughout – also taking in to consideration the heritage of the Native Americans in our region. Native edible flora, unique designs, useful and attractive all four seasons;
- • Storm water runoff mitigation practices throughout;
- • Solar trees in parking and public gathering areas;
- • Structured soils for tree plantings where feasible;
- • Phyto and bioremediation demonstration areas;
- • Construction site soil conservation – re-use and amend;
- • Permeable surfaces throughout all parking and walkways;
- • Minimizing light pollution;
- • Demonstration and educational areas throughout – signage;
- • Bicycle-friendly accommodations; and,
- • Other creative and sincere environmental considerations.
Most all these components mitigate trucking and transport, promote recycling and re-use, as well as lessen the need for the use of fossil fuels through transport.
If needed, all of these LID components are LEED credited. This project can be a national example of LEED Platinum+.
Remember, this project is on the waterfront or no less than 750 feet from its main center of development.
Vista Hermosa Park Ranger Station, Los Angeles
These, and other related components, will attract people here – and not just to see the Canal Side project conceived by the ECHDC, but rather for the sustainability, environmental justice, and LID concepts that were implemented.
We must think globally here- and globally, the movement has been, for decades, toward true sustainable developments that respect the environment and implement LID components at every turn. Simply because Buffalo does not see or do this does not make it nonexistent elsewhere in the world. Think global!!
LID, sustainability, green roofs, storm water management, etc. are standards in many countries and also in many cities across the USA. Buffalo is behind. However, we are in the right place, at the right time, with plenty of motivation, sufficient resources and ample opportunity. It is a win-win-win scenario.
Grass-lined light rail in Etienne, France
We no longer would have to envy other cities and nations in their progressive sustainability and LID approaches. Cities like Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Vancouver, Atlanta, DC, New York, Toronto – as well as nations like Sweden, Switzerland, China, Norway and the world LID and sustainability leader, Germany.
Moreover, the triple bottom line is at hand here: economic, environmental and social.
- aThis is good economics;
- aThis is good for the people of Buffalo and WNY and the environment;
- aThis is a unique opportunity to involve youth and promote education and environmental stewardship; and,
- aThis would be true historic preservation and conservation – as so many concerned citizens and groups have insisted upon.
This is certainly attainable – if we act now.
Entry Image: American Society of Landscape Architects HQs, Washington, DC
Bio-retention swale in Portland, Oregon