Sustainable Community Design Sean Joyce Huong Nguyen Thomas

Sustainable Community Design Sean Joyce Huong Nguyen Thomas Parenteau

Goal Ø Create a guide on sustainable development 2 Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identified Problems Ø Need for sustainable communities • Urban development patterns • Dependency on motor vehicles • Environmental degradation Picture from google. com Worcester Polytechnic Institute 3

Identified Problems Ø Need for best practice manual • LEED-ND does not provide implementation methods • Testing unproven ideas are costly Ideas + Testing = 4 Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Best Practices Manual (BPM) • Focus on LEED Neighborhood Pattern and Design (LEED-NPD) category 5 Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Deliverable • BPM table • List of detailed guideline on the 15 NPD credits 6 Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Deliverable Credit: Title of LEED Credit Intent: This section provides the objectives of the credit named above, as provided in LEED-ND handbook. A. To easily present information on a variety of topics, this section subdivides the credit into smaller goals. Goal Associated Best Concerned Practices Agencies 1. This column provides the goal of the subdivision named above. While it may share a common theme with the intent of the entire LEED credit, it focuses more on one aspect of the credit, rather than the whole. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 1. This column lists the best practices associated with achieving the goal mentioned in the adjacent left column. Since achieving many of these goals may require changes to zoning, streets design, bus routes etc, this column provides the name of any agencies or bodies that may need to be involved in the planning process in an effort to expedite completion of the project. 7

Employing BPM Table Credit 1: Walkability Intent: To promote transportation efficiency, including reduced vehicle miles traveled. To promote walking by providing safe, appealing, and comfortable street environments that support public health by reducing pedestrian injuries and encouraging daily physical activity. Goal 1. Reclaim alleys as walking paths for pedestrians, providing alternate routes throughout a city’s center, and promote connectivity. Worcester Polytechnic Institute A. Alley Revitalization Associated Best Practices 1. Increase lighting and signage, giving the alleys more of a “street” feeling. 3. Replace asphalt with more pervious materials. 4. Promote alleys as viable space to local businesses, especially for outdoor restaurant seating. 5. Turn alley into park where applicable Concerned Agencies Department of Public Works Local Business Owners 8

Alley Designs • Replace pavement with pervious pavement or grass • Line alleys with trees • Install lighting Chicago’s green alley from google. com 9 Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Results Runoff on Pavements/Grass: Boston, MA Standard Pavement: 2 Year 0. 192 cfs 100 Year 0. 437 cfs Pervious Pavement: 2 Year 0. 010 cfs 100 Year 0. 023 cfs Grass/P: 2 Year 0. 0385 cfs 100 Year 0. 0875 cfs Grass: 2 Year 0. 051 cfs 100 Year 0. 115 cfs Worcester Polytechnic Institute 10

Results Ø Pervious Pavement • Reduce localized floods Ø Trees • Provide shade • Reduce 5% of stormwater runoff Ø Lighting • Aesthetically appealing • Encourage use of alleys Baltimore’s green alley from google. com 11 Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Summaries • Renovated alleys are useable public spaces • Alley restoration is a sustainable, effective investment for many cities Seattle’s green alley from google. com 12 Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Accomplishments Ø Identified shortcomings in LEED-ND Ø Developed a comprehensive BPM table Ø Created a design-based manual 13 Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Questions 14 Worcester Polytechnic Institute