Green Streets

Course Description:

Roads present many opportunities for green infrastructure application. One principle of green infrastructure involves reducing and treating stormwater close to its source. Urban transportation right-of-ways integrated with green techniques are often called “green streets”. Green streets provide a source control for a main contributor of stormwater runoff and pollutant load.  This course presents methods for using green-street designs to alleviate pollution from urban stormwater runoff.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Importance of street width in controlling stormwater runoff
• Use of bioretention curb extensions and sidewalk planters
• Application of permeable pavement forms
• Use of sidewalk trees and tree boxes
• Implementation hurdles
• Case study: Portland Green Street Pilot Projects
• Case study: Chicago Green Alley Program