Green Street

Course Summary:

This PDH or CE course, discuss how In June 2014, Austin City Council adopted a robust Complete Streets Policy, which is seen as an important step toward realization of Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan vision of a healthy, green, vibrant, compact and connected community. The term “Green Streets” is specifically called out in the resolution as an integral part of Complete Streets. The resolution states, “in the design, operation, and maintenance of its transportation system, the City shall seek opportunities to integrate best-practice ‘Green Street’ principles, features and metrics…” Over the last year, stakeholders from multiple City departments have come together to better understand the components and potential of Green Streets and to formulate next steps in integrating green street elements into Complete Streets policy implementation.

Green Street is a public street right-of-way that is context-sensitive and that incorporates landscape features, engineered stormwater controls, and sustainability principles and practices to enhance non-motorized transportation options (e.g., walking and biking), mitigate the Urban Heat Island effect, improve water and air quality, and conserve ecological resources.

Learning Objective:

In this PDH or CE course the student will learn a Green Streets initiative can provide sustainable, regenerative solutions for the urban challenges we face now and into the future. As stated, this document is intended to start the conversation on the incorporation of the Green Streets concept into the planning, implementation, and maintenance of the public Right of Way. This conversation will include stakeholders from all sectors of the city and greater community.

Review the quiz before studying the course.

Course Content

Course Author: Franco F. Davati, P.E.