What is Green Infrastructure?
Green infrastructure is the natural vegetation and green technologies that collectively provide society with a multitude of economic, environmental, health, and social benefits.
Green infrastructure includes, but is not limited to:
Green infrastructure has been defined and acknowledged in the Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 under the Planning Act as a necessary feature for building strong, healthy communities.
Policies in the Provincial Policy Statement encourage planning authorities to implement green infrastructure projects.
These projects should complement existing infrastructure and public service facilities to manage stormwater, save energy, improve air quality, and address climate change.
What Are the Benefits of Green Infrastructure?
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
- Green infrastructure reduces air temperatures through shade and evapotranspiration, countering the urban heat island effect. Natural vegetation communities and urban forests trap carbon and greenhouse gases, mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Lower Energy Costs
- By reducing temperatures, green infrastructure contributes to energy savings by decreasing the expenditures spent on cooling buildings. Certain types of green infrastructure (such as trees, green walls, and green roofs) can also insulate buildings during the winter and reduce energy used for heating.
Stormwater Management and Flood Reduction
- Green infrastructure helps to decrease the amount of stormwater runoff during heavy rains and filters pollutants, leading to to better air and water quality and protection against floods.
Improved Ecosystem Health
- Green infrastructure contributes to a healthier ecosystem by providing wildlife habitat, preventing runoff and erosion, improving water quality, and trapping pollutants and carbon.
Public Health
- Research has shown the link between greater vegetation and urban forest cover and improved mental and physical health.
Economic Contributions
- Green infrastructure helps create green jobs, both directly and indirectly. It also lowers capital costs, flood damage costs, and stormwater maintenance costs.
TRCA and Green Infrastructure
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) works collaboratively with its partners to implement and manage a wide range of green infrastructure projects. These projects fall into two main categories:
MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
APPLIED RESEARCH
TRCA and its partners apply research focused on green infrastructure to projects and initiatives in the Toronto region:
Contact
TRCA Watershed Planning and Ecosystem Science: wpes@trca.ca