Publications
Landuse Planning With CITYgreen: GIS Software Estimates Benefits of "Green" Infrastructure
Author(s): Dale Bruns
RGIS Regional Office: Chesapeake Wilkes University, Wilkes University
Date of Publication: July 2007
Synopsis:
The loss of urban forests and greenways carries a huge economic cost associated with stormwater runoff, flooding, and increased air pollution. Until recently, the value of the ecological “services” provided by trees, vegetation and associated natural systems has been difficult to measure. A new GIS planning tool, called CITYgreen, is helping communities assess the economic impacts of development on their green infrastructure. Here, a case study of a Pennsylvania watershed illustrates the power of CITYgreen in determining the value of urban forests.