Time is Short, Go Fast, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from TracerBullet999′s photostream

Did you know that the average household spends 20% of its income on transportation? Would you like to participate in the the planning process that will guide transportation decisions and spending in Pittsburgh for the next 25 years? If so, we have a meeting for you.

MOVEPGH is a part of PLANPGH, the City of Pittsburgh’s first-ever comprehensive plan. The goal of MOVEPGH is to “[p]rovide a transportation network that is safe and efficient while meeting the City’s transportation needs.” The City expects the transportation needs of this area to grow because it anticipates a rise in population over the next few decades due, in part, to all of the favorable publicity the City is rightfully receiving. However, with all our great assets, the City has a fixed, established street network — as do most older cities. The plan must accommodate not only the needs of cars and public transit, but walkers and bikers — providing the the kind of wide range of transportation options that attract urban dwellers.

To Northside, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from inorman88′s photostream

The planning process for MOVEPGH is being led by the Pittsburgh Department of City Planning. Nine top transportation planning and engineering firms from around the country are participating as consultants. But, they also want and need your input. On Thursday, MOVEPGH will conduct a public kick-off meeting for the transportation plan. Attend and add your voice to the process.

MOVEPGH Public Kickoff Meeting
WHEN: Thursday February 2, 2012, from 6 to 8 PM.
WHERE: Building #3B (Porter Hall) off Frew Street on the Carnegie Mellon University Campus (Oakland). (map)

For additional information, please see the meeting flyer here. If you have special needs for attending this meeting, contact Patrick Roberts at 412-255-2224.

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from glindsay65′s photostream

The Green Building Alliance (GBA) is one of the first U.S. Green Building Council affiliate organizations in the country and a national pioneer in promoting green building. Created in 1993, this nonprofit strives to drive market demand for both green buildings and green building products, helping Western PA achieve national prominence in LEED-certified buildings. GBA programs include giving project assistance for green buildings including resources for funding, LEED rating systems and green building practices; providing educational opportunities for industry professionals; driving the development of a large-scale database for analyzing sustainable and high performance buildings; promoting the greening of schools, and more. Since 1998, over 6,000 people have attended GBA workshops and training events.

Now, GBA is seeking assistance to help shape the future of green buildings in Western PA. In collaboration with USGBC chapters and affiliates nationwide, GBA is conducting a survey of the community to determine regional priority issues for this area. The survey takes only five minutes and the input will be considered in GBA’s recommendations for LEED 2012 regional priority credits. What issues do you think are most important to this region? Brownfields? Stormwater runoff? Urban sprawl? You can make your voice heard here.

i find this photo ironic, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from saeru’s photostream

Founded in 1972, the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition is a non-profit, grassroots community group dedicated to “preserving and improving the quality of life in the 14th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh.” In furtherance of that goal, the SHUC concerns itself with such issues as housing, education, transportation, commercial, residential and institutional development, and parks and open spaces. One of the very first issues they took on was replacing the water and sewer infrastructure between Murray and Shady. Now, the SHUC is conducting a study to better understand the effects of stormwater runoff for business and property owners in the Squirrel Hill area in order to have an accurate picture of the problem, as well as to “serve as a catalyst for future steps toward solutions.” To this end, SHUC would like to survey businesses and residents in the area on their experiences and opinions regarding stormwater flooding.

We’ve written about this problem many times before on this blog noting the need for sustainable and green infrastructure solutions which can both improve our environment and save billions of ratepayer dollars. Moreover, Councilman Peduto conducted a meeting on the East End Flooding problem in September of this year. Over 300 people attended and decried the “chronic flooding that’s rotted their walls, ruined their carpets, set their cars afloat and cost thousands of dollars in repairs.” Also in attendance at the meeting were Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Public Safety Director Michael Huss, Public Works Director Rob Kaczorowski, as well as executives of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, and state legislators and city council members.

You can make your voice heard on this problem by taking the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition’s survey:

For Business Owners: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BXCJGVC  

For Property Owners: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BNDZCN9

The natatorium in the basement, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from justmakeit’s photostream

Rusty Storm Drain, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from GrungeTextures’ photostream

On October 27th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a memorandum entitled “Achieving Water Quality Through Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Plans.” In it, they addressed the need for states and municipalities to best achieve compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) through integrated planning. They acknowledged that meeting the objective of the CWA to keep raw sewage and pollutants carried by stormwater out of our drinking water will be a costly undertaking. But, they offered hope to cash-strapped cities in the form of green infrastructure:

As you know, given the multiple benefits associated with green infrastructure, EPA strongly encourages the use of green infrastructure and related innovative technologies, approaches, and practices to manage stormwater as a resource, reduce sewer overflows, enhance environmental quality, and achieve other economic and community benefits. Many cities and communities in the United States are now employing green infrastructure practices and know the value of such projects to not only protect water resources, but also to bring opportunities for greenways and multiuse recreational areas, improving property values, saving energy and creating green jobs.

According to American City & County, the new guidelines were “hailed by the Washington-based U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) as a step forward in the partnership between federal, state and local governments in addressing the problem.”

We’ve blogged many times on these pages about the need to take a green approach to Pittsburgh’s own stormwater runoff issues. And, we are far from the only ones here advocating such an approach. Action United is just one of the groups calling for a better way:

As a community, we need to have a say in how this problem is corrected. ALCOSAN is proposing one path, which relies on large concrete tunnels under our rivers to store and move water from one place to another. We can follow that path. Or, we can find solutions that use green technologies like roof gardens, trees, permeable pavement and rain gardens to capture storm water where it falls. These solutions are greener and better for our communities. Plus, they have the added benefits of creating permanent jobs and beautifying neighborhoods; making them places where people want to visit, live and shop.

By ALCOSAN’s own estimates, their proposed price tag to solve the problem is over $2 BILLION. You can make your voice heard in how we approach this problem at a town hall meeting on November 9th:

ALCOSAN (Allegheny County Sanitary Authority) Town Hall Meeting
WHERE: I.B.E.W.#5 Circuit Center & Ballroom, 5 Hot Metal St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203
WHEN: 11/9/11, 5:30PM – 7:30PM
COST: “FREE and open to the public, and refreshments or light lunch will be provided.”

You can let the Clean Rivers Campaign know you’re attending by RSVPing on Facebook here.

A Walk from Cheonggyecheon, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from riacale’s photostream

Rotary is an international organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. It has over 34,000 clubs worldwide with a commitment to “Service Above Self.” The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange pairs non-Rotarian team members in different countries to participate in a unique cultural, vocational and civic exchange opportunity. In 2012, the Pittsburgh area and Seoul, South Korea exchange will focus on green building and development. The first part of the exchange began with Rotary District 7300 hosting a team of architects and designers from Korea, and it culminates in a trip to Seoul in May 2012.

The eligibility criteria are:

1) Live in Rotary District 7300 (Allegheny or Beaver Counties)

2) Be between 25 and 40 years of age

3) Be employed in their field for at least two years

4) Not be a Rotary Club member or be an immediate family member of one

5) Be available to travel for the full duration of the Group Study Exchange

6) Have up-to-date travel documents

7) Professional fields of architecture, design, engineering, urban planning, real estate development, or related fields are preferred but not required

Selected participants will receive a travel grant.

The application deadline is November 4, 2011. For applications and more information, please contact: Ron Gaydos, Rotary District 7300 GSE Chair, at rgaydos@city-net.com

You can read more about the Rotary Foundation’s GSE Program here and an announcement about the program here. For additional information, go to www.rotary.org and enter “gse brochure” in the search window. You can also find the Seoul-Pittsburgh GSE page on Facebook here.

IMG_7669, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from parker yo!’s photostream

There are two issues regarding stormwater runoff and sewage overflows in Pittsburgh. There’s the immediate problem of significant flooding experienced by homes and businesses after large storms — causing thousands of dollars of damages to individuals. Then, there’s the long term issue of a federal mandate which requires the separation of our stormwater and sewage systems. Where we have a choice is in the approach we take to solve these problems. We can do it the “gray” way and spend nearly 10 billion dollars of local ratepayer money. Or, we can do it the “green” way and improve our environment while saving billions of our own dollars.

The green way aims to keep most of the stormwater out of the sewer system entirely by capturing and cleaning it naturally. Instead of stormwater running off of the concrete, asphalt and brick and mortar of parking lots, roadways, and buildings; green infrastructure — ponds, parks, and green rooftops — provides the excess water a place to soak in and avoid overloading the sewage system. This not only prevents the overflow from seeping into places like the basements of our homes, it also stops it from contaminating our rivers and, eventually, our drinking water (according to the Clean Rivers Campaign, our rivers are the main source of drinking water for 90% of our region’s residents).

We’ve written before about the Philadelphia Water Department’s Office of Watersheds’ efforts to create a green infrastructure. Now, Cleveland plans on spending millions on green infrastructure projects to help combat their own flooding and sewage overflow problems. Via Cleveland.com:

In what environmental officials say could set an example for the nation, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District plans to spend $42 million in the next few years on neighborhood “green” projects aimed at reducing flooding and the discharge of untreated waste.

For 38 areas being considered for the program, which is being funded by ratepayers as a part of the district’s $3 billion in court-ordered system improvements, it likely will reduce local flooding and add a variety of new amenities.

The new amenities include parks and community gardens. Moreover, the plan calls for the demolition of abandoned buildings — further enhancing and revitalizing neighborhoods. We need to take this same approach here in Pittsburgh. Furthermore, we must ensure that the immediate changes that we make to rectify what is now broken serve a comprehensive modernization — and greening — of our system.

You can learn much more about these issues at the 3 Rivers Wet Weather website here and Clean Rivers Campaign website here and Facebook page here.

Earth Day, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from AlicePopkorn’s photostream

Earlier this year, Pittsburgh City Council declared April 22nd — Earth Day — to be “Greener Pittsburgh Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. GreenerPittsburgh.com connects people and businesses with greener products and services. This first-of-its-kind platform is made possible by the creation of key alliances with the City of Pittsburgh, community nonprofit partners and corporate sponsors. Pittsburgh-based Greener Expressions is the company behind Greener Pittsburgh. Greener Pittsburgh launches on September 15th with a party at Phipps Conservatory.

Via Eco News Network:

“There’s nothing else like Greener Pittsburgh in the marketplace,” said Greg DiMedio, CEO of Greener Expressions. “It’s a location-based platform that connects people and businesses throughout our region to greener products and services. The fact is that the majority of businesses today are already taking steps toward sustainability and this green business directory helps to promote these companies on common ground with supportive users and content.”

As we’ve reported on this blog — Councilman Bill Peduto has been a covener and advisor to Greener Pittsburgh. He helped announce the initiative last year and providing funding. He also introduced the founders of the company, Greg DiMedio and Bob McNeice. Also from Eco News Network:

“I’m proud to have played a role in helping to make Greener Pittsburgh a reality,” said Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto. “I firmly believe it will revolutionize the way consumers search for sustainable products, services and companies. More than a listings website, it’s the combination of grassroots community development strategies, social networking, and a strong commitment to principles of sustainability that makes Greener Pittsburgh so special.”

To be part of this green marketplace and online community, go to GreenerPittsburgh.com. You can join as an individual. You can list your business or organization. And, you can tell your favorite business to join now. The more people and businesses who join in, the better and more vibrant the marketplace will be.

Swann Fountain Trio 3, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from michaelwm25′s photostream

We’ve been talking a lot about our city’s watersheds and water management on this blog lately — both the problems and the progress. Yesterday, some 300 residents of the East End turned out for a meeting initiated by Councilman Bill Peduto on the the problem of chronic flooding in the East End of Pittsburgh. As we all know, an August flash flood also led to the tragic deaths of two women and two girls on Washington Boulevard in Highland Park. What you may not know is that most major cities have departments specifically charged with stormwater management. Pittsburgh does not. Urbanization presents specific challenges to managing stormwater as concrete and steel do not soak up water. Moreover, older cities like Pittsburgh have a patchwork of infrastructure systems including a combined sewer system (one that combines stormwater and sewage). As 3 Rivers Wet Weather notes:

Over time, a network of 83 municipal combined and separate sanitary systems, which flow into each other before reaching the ALCOSAN sewage treatment plant, has evolved in the region surrounding Pittsburgh. Much of the system today is deteriorated and overloaded during wet weather, which results in frequent and illegal sewage overflows into our waterways, streets and homes.

Furthermore, an EPA evaluation of Pennsylvania’s draft Watershed Implementation Plan found serious deficiencies. As regards urban areas, they described the strategies for strong stormwater as having “questionable enforceability and accountability.” Pittsburgh City Council has addressed the issue of the combined sewer system, but there is much more that can be done and must be done to better manage stormwater and we don’t have to look very far. From The Dirt:

Now, Philadelphia Water Department’s Office of Watersheds may be leading the next generation of innovation in water infrastructure with its plans to roll-out an ambitious $1.6 billion green infrastructure plan, which would use rain gardens, green roofs, pervious pavements, and trees to recycle and reuse rainwater. According to one study, “one inch of rain water hitting one acre of asphalt means 27,000 gallons of water” is going into the sewer. For a city like Philadelphia, that means billions of gallons are flooding its now aged water management system.

The green infrastructure proposal would turn 1/3 of the city’s impervious asphalt surface, or 4,000 acres, into absorptive green spaces. The goal is to move from grey to green infrastructure. Grey infrastructure includes “man-made single purpose systems.” Green infrastructure is defined as “man-made structures that mimic natural systems.” As an example, networks of man-made wetlands, restored flood plains, or infiltration basins would all qualify as green infrastructure. The benefits of such systems include: evaporation, transpiration, enhanced water quality, reduced erosion / sedimentation, and restoration. Some grey / green infrastructure feature integrated systems that create hybrid detention ponds or holding tanks, which are designed to slow water’s release into stormwater management systems.

You can view a video about Philadelphia’s “Green City, Clean Waters” program below (see the plan here):

As Councilman Peduto has remarked:

It is imperative that Pittsburgh develops comprehensive planning, rather than try to rely on spot fixes. We live in a complex watershed and we must look at it as a whole system, not focus on a few streets in a few neighborhoods. The lack of a comprehensive plan means we are unintentionally creating new problems down the road as we try to “fix” old ones.

With determination and leadership, a smart, comprehensive stormwater management plan is not out of reach. The Nine Mile Run Watershed Restoration is a great example of what is possible. It’s a partnership between federal government, city, community, and nonprofits which uses principles of natural systems to inform man-made systems. We need a plan like this for the entire region, starting with the City of Pittsburgh.

Bridge at Panther Hollow, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from KitAy’s photostream

Panther Hollow Run, Phipps Run, and Panther Hollow Lake not only comprise a beautiful recreational area — they are part of the Panther Hollow Watershed — an ecologically important component of one of the largest sewer sheds in Pittsburgh, the Four Mile Run Watershed. Panther Hollow Run and Phipps Run join just above Panther Hollow Lake which drains into underground pipe. The pipe also carries the the Four Mile Run stream and all of the water eventually drains into the Monongahela River.

Panther Hollow Watershed Map, from Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy flyer

This watershed only gets water from stormwater pipes — there’s no sewer overflow. This is, of course, a benefit to the lake and the citizens of Pittsburgh who enjoy it. However, the watershed does suffer from increased urbanization. Additionally, there are other ecological problems such as “invasive and non-native plants, soil erosion, elevated soil nitrogen levels, increasing deer populations, loss of tree canopy, and deferred maintenance of storm pipes.”

Ecological restoration was necessary and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, the City, the Department of Public Works and many volunteers have made great progress in that direction over the past ten years. The Conservancy has also developed partnerships with local universities and agencies to track the state of the watershed. But, more needs to be done.

You can attend a community meeting in September that will be part of the overall watershed planning process. You’ll also get to preview pilot restoration project designs created by the chosen design team that will be installed in the park next spring. Anyone interested in water, parks or their community is welcome to attend:

September 8, 2011, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh
Levinson Hall B
5738 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15217

The Conservancy asks that you please sign up if you plan to attend by using the registration form on the Pittsburgh Parks website (click here), or by calling 412-682-7275, ext. 205.

Panther Hollow, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from michaelrighi’s photostream

TypeCon 2010 Los Angeles: Famous LA Traffic Jam, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from FontFont’s photostream

Sustainable communities promote sustainable living by providing people with access to affordable housing, increasing their transportation options, lowering their transportation costs, and at the same time, protecting the environment to better support local economies. Being able to live in a diverse community that is close to where you work and where you can purchase local produce and patronize local businesses helps the environment, the local economy and your pocketbook. Additionally, healthy, safe and walkable neighborhoods are communities where people want to live. With this in mind, two years ago, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined together to form The Partnership for Sustainable Communities.

The Partnership “works to coordinate federal housing, transportation, water and other infrastructure investments” to help accomplish sustainability. They do this through providing new funding opportunities, working to reduce barriers at the federal level, and by talking to residents and businesses in hundreds of communities. On June 16th, The Partnership for Sustainable Communities will celebrate their two year anniversary. They have created webinars which you can participate in to learn more about their efforts (listed below). You can also learn more about sustainable communities at Smart Growth America.

A Variety of Transportation Options:

DC Dupont multimodal, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from faceless b’s photostream

Celebrating Two Years of Partnership
What: Join the senior leadership of the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities to celebrate the Partnership’s two-year anniversary and to talk about what initiatives are coming next.
Who: Beth Osborne, Deputy Assistant Secretary, DOT; Shelley Poticha, Director, Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities, HUD; John Frece, Director, Office of Sustainable Communities, EPA; and Derek Douglas, Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs (Invited)
When: Thursday, June 16, 2011 – 1:00 PM EDT
Where: Click here to register for this webinar. Call-in information will be sent to registrants.

Long Term Affordability Near Transit
What: A webinar that will highlight innovative affordable transit-oriented development initiatives across the country, including Austin, Texas and Fairfax County, Virginia – two jurisdictions that have put long-term affordable homeownership mechanisms into place to create and sustain equitable transit-oriented communities.
Who: Co-Hosted by Cornerstone Partnership, the Center for Housing Policy, and the National Housing Conference; Allison Brooks, Chief of Staff, Reconnecting America; John L. Payne A.I.A, Deputy Director for Real Estate, Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development; Kelly Weiss, Executive Director, PeopleTrust in Austin, TX; Moderated by Ryan Sherriff, Center for Housing Policy
When: Thursday, June 16, 2011. The two-part event begins at 2:30 p.m. ET with a 90-minute webinar that will provide an opportunity to listen to each speaker as well as ask questions.
Where: Register here

Understanding Mixed-Income Transit-Oriented Development
What: This event will focus on introducing participants to the benefits, strategies, and challenges of mixed-income transit-oriented development and will introduce a useful tool, the “Mixed-Income TOD Action Guide.”
Who: Center for Transit-Oriented Development
When: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EDT
Where: Click here to register

Mixed-Income Development:

B-dairy tnhome with SFD PDX, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from faceless b’s photostream

Pedestrian Street:

Pedestrian Street – Athens, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from UrbanGrammar’s photostream

Walkable Communities:

Housing Community, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from www.urbancityarch.com’s photostream