Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration-Toronto Green Streets Technical Guidelines

Session: 28. - Pilot Projects and Future Visions: Transdisciplinary Collaboration for Applied Research

Mark Schollen, Schollen & Company Inc, [email protected]

Abstract

Toronto’s portfolio of streets encompasses over 5,400 ha.  During rainfall events, pollutant-laden runoff generated by Toronto’s streets is discharged untreated into Lake Ontario.  The Toronto Green Streets Technical Guidelines (GSTG) were created as a tool to optimize the integration of Green Infrastructure (GI) into the City’s streets. The document was generated by an extensive collaboration and consultation with various departments within the City and outside agencies including utility providers and NGOs. The process of generating the GSTG melded the ideas of landscape architects, engineers, urban designers, and urban foresters as well as that of those responsible for maintaining the City’s roads and infrastructure. The outcome of the process was a technical guideline document that will optimize the City’s ability to integrate GI into streets while effectively addressing technical and operational complexities and ensuring that the practical function of streets is not compromised. The GSTG incorporates an innovative ‘GI Selection Tool’ that identifies the optimal GI options for a given segment of road based on biophysical, technical and contextual selection parameters. The tool reflects the cross-disciplinary input received during the consultation process. The presentation will focus on the collaboration process, its outcomes, and the application of the GI Selection Tool.

1. Keyword
water quality

2. Keyword
urbanization

3. Keyword
decision making

4. Additional Keyword
collaboration