Integration Methods and Metrics for Environmental Land Planning & Analysis

Integration Methods

The Environmental Inventory Land Capability and Suitability Studies Human Carrying Capacity Studies Environmental Impact Assessment Build-Out Analysis Green Infrastructure

Synthesis

Metrics

Indicators, indexes, weights, thresholds LEED, Sustainable Community Ratings

Relationship among Environmental Planning Integration Methods

1981 Blacksburg Environmental Inventory

Portland Natural Resources Inventory

Inventory improved by finer resolution of data

Mid-1990s

2009

Land Suitability Analysis

LSA uses the natural and socio-economic characteristics of the land to assess its inherent suitability based on vulnerability from and attractiveness for prospective uses. Methods of combination: Gestalt: appearance Ordinal combination: simple non-weighted overlays Linear combination: weighted overlays Intermediate factor combination: non-linear overlays

Land Suitability Overlay Technique using GIS

Portland NRI, 2009: Combining data layers into composite Riparian/Wildlife Habitat Value

Neighborhood application of Portland NRI

Water Features

Vegetation

Riparian Corridor Resource

Wildlife Habitat

Combined Rank

Citywide NRI Maps

Citywide NRI application to assess: Environmental Overlay Zones Portland Plan for 2040

Carrying Capacity

Natural systems

Human systems

Use of Indicators and Thresholds instead of population: Its the impact of population not just the population level that matters I = PAT Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology

Ecological Footprint

Reverse of carrying capacity: its not what the land can sustain, but what amount of total land a population needs, not only for space, but for food, water, materials, energy, etc. Vancouver, BC: 472,000 population has a ecological footprint of 2 million hectares, 174 times its city area of 11,400 hectares. Carbon Footprint: what are your carbon emissions?

Environmental Impact Assessment Process

Scoping Baseline Data Studies Identification of Impacts Prediction of Impacts

Evaluation of Impacts and Impact Mitigation

Presentation of Impacts

Baseline Studies: What do we have?

e.g. Water related EIA Water flow and quality monitoring Surface water
Peak discharge monitoring: gauge stations Field stream assessment Biological monitoring

Groundwater
Groundwater quality monitoring Piezometric surface and cone of depression

Identification and Prediction of Impacts: WithWithout Analysis: Impact Variables, Indicators, and Thresholds
In an EIA, it is important to assess the environment systematically. Generally, the assessment focuses on indicators of change. So, we select impact variables or important components of the environment, indicators of change, and thresholds or standards for those indicators. Environmental Impact Variables, Indicators, and Thresholds Impact Variables: Components of the environment that are important (e.g., water quality) Impact Indicators: Measures that indicate change in an impact variable (e.g., dissolved oxygen) Impact Thresholds or Standards: Values of impact indicators above or below which there is a problem; used to evaluate the impact (e.g., 5 ppm minimum of dissolved oxygen)

With-Without Analysis

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Possible Effects of EIA on Projects

Withdrawal of unsound project Legitimization of sound project Selection of improved project location Reformulation of plans Redefinition of goals Mitigation of project impacts

Dropping damaging elements of proposed project Minimizing adverse effects by scaling down or redesigning project Repairing or restoring environment adversely affected Creating or acquiring environments similar to those adversely affected

EIA as an Impetus for Administrative Change

Often increases access of citizens, NGOs, and other agencies to information on project
Enhances interagency coordination Affects power relations between ministries, increases power of environmental agencies

Build-out Analysis :
What happens if all land is developed according to the zoning ordinance?
Build-out analysis applies existing rights provided by the zoning ordinance, builds it out, shows it visually in maps, then assesses the environmental and social impacts.

Actual Build-out of Longmeadow, Massachusetts

1942

1957

1987

Steps in Build-Out Analysis

Develop basemap including environmental inventory; identify existing developments and unbuildable areas Overlay zoning map indicating development types and densities For each zone, build-out development according to the allowed density following the existing patterns of development for those densities. Produce a Build-Out Map showing this development Determine the impacts associated with the Build-Out:

water demand, sewage flows, school population, road traffic, and environmental impacts (e.g., habitats, open space, agricultural lands, stream corridors, aquifer recharge, well heads, impervious surface and peak discharge and baseflow)

Conduct a public workshop to solicit comment on the Build-Out Analysis and potential need for revision of the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance.

Build-out Analysis in Massachusetts

Map 1: Zoning and Absolute Development Constraints Map 2: Developable Lands and Partial Constraints Build-out Tables Map 3: Composite Development Map Summary Build-out Statistics

Integrative and Synthesis Metrics

Indicators, indexes, weights, thresholds

An indicator is a single measure of a condition of an environmental element that represents the status or quality of that element. For example,

fecal coliform content and dissolved oxygen in water and ozone concentration in the air are useful indicators of water and air quality. Carbon emissions are the best indicator of climate change impact.

An index is a synthesis of several indicators that are combined into an overall measure of status or quality of an environmental element. It is usually derived by a sum-ofweighted factors analysis. Indicator weights are used to assign relative importance to different indicators. For example,

the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) are often used as measures of air quality and biodiversity. LEED score is an index of green building.

A threshold is the value of an indicator or index that represents a desirable outcome or a problem condition. A threshold is often defined by a goal that a community wants to achieve or by an established standard, such as an air or water quality standard. LEED certification colors (silver, gold, platinum) are thresholds of achievement. Thresholds should be attainable, meaningful, and manageable in the planning or design process.

Sustainable Communities Rating Systems

Sustainlane Community Sustainability Criteria

U.S. winners?

Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago Urban ecosystems, green infrastructure, social equity?

Missing criteria?

Siemens AG Green City Ranking System

Eight criteria:

European Winners? One city rated in each country

Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Vienna, Amsterdam

Missing criteria?

Economic and social factors, ecological and green infrastructure

STAR Community Index

ICLEI, USGBC, Center for American Progress, National League of Cities Indicator categories:

STAR Communities: ICLEIs Five Milestones for Sustainability

155 ICLEI USA members have set this cumulative goal: 23% of total U.S. emissions

STAR Communities Indicators: Environment

STAR Communities Indicators: Economy

STAR Communities Indicators: Society