Incorporate green building techniques | Green building is the practice of creating healthier, more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition. Green building techniques can be instrumental in addressing increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and natural disasters by more effectively controlling stormwater, reducing waste and energy use, and designing smarter infrastructure that allows for adaptation and mitigation. Techniques may include green roofs; energy, lighting, and water efficiencies; use of sustainable building materials; and incorporation of passive survivability features. Passive survivability is a building's ability to maintain habitability without relying on external utility systems for power, fuel, water, or sewer services, as well as being better able to withstand floods, severe weather, and temperature extremes. |
Install green infrastructure | Green infrastructure includes practices and features to reduce the burden of storm events on local water infrastructure. Examples include green roofs, downspout disconnection, urban tree canopies, rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, planter boxes, green parking (permeable pavement), urban agriculture, and community open space. |
Incorporate and encourage multi-modal transit opportunities in redevelopment activities | Planning, designing and building streets that enable access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders. Brownfield redevelopment projects can incorporate sidewalks in their plans to allow for pedestrian traffic, outdoor public spaces to encourage community gatherings, and bicycle parking, bike share rentals, and bike trails to encourage biking throughout the community. |