Revamp Your Commute: Tips for Green Infrastructure Planning

Commuting can be a stressful experience. Whether you’re stuck in traffic or crammed on a crowded train, it can take a toll on your mental and physical health. But the good news is, there are ways to make your commute more enjoyable and even beneficial for your wellbeing. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of green infrastructure planning and how it can help you revamp your commute.

What is Green Infrastructure Planning?

Green infrastructure planning refers to the practice of using natural and semi-natural elements to manage environmental challenges. This can include things like trees, plants, water bodies, and green spaces. The goal of green infrastructure planning is to create sustainable and resilient communities that are better equipped to handle environmental stressors like climate change, pollution, and urbanization.

Green infrastructure planning can be applied to many different areas, including transportation. By incorporating green infrastructure elements into transportation planning, we can make our commutes more sustainable, enjoyable, and even beneficial for our health.

Benefits of Green Infrastructure Planning for Commuting

There are many benefits to incorporating green infrastructure into transportation planning. Here are some of the key ones:

1. Reduced stress: Studies have shown that being in nature can reduce stress and anxiety. By incorporating green infrastructure elements into transportation planning, we can create more calming and relaxing commutes.
2. Improved air quality: Trees and plants help filter out pollutants from the air. By planting more trees and creating more green spaces along transportation routes, we can improve air quality and reduce the negative health impacts of pollution.
3. Reduced noise pollution: Traffic can be noisy and stressful. Trees and other vegetation can help absorb sound and reduce noise pollution.
4. Increased physical activity: Walking or biking to work can be a great way to incorporate more physical activity into your day. By creating more bike lanes and walkable routes, we can encourage people to adopt healthier transportation habits.
5. Improved mental health: Spending time in nature has been linked to improved mental health, including reduced risk of depression and anxiety. By incorporating green infrastructure into transportation planning, we can create more mentally healthy commuting experiences.

Tips for Green Infrastructure Planning for Commuting

So how can you incorporate green infrastructure elements into your daily commute? Here are some tips to get started:

1. Use public transit: Public transit is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and minimize the negative environmental impacts of commuting. Many public transit agencies are also incorporating green infrastructure elements into their planning, such as planting trees and creating green spaces around transit stops.
2. Walk or bike to work: Walking or biking to work is not only great for the environment, but also for your health. Look for safe and bike-friendly routes to work and consider investing in a good pair of walking or biking shoes.
3. Plant trees and create green spaces: If you’re responsible for transportation planning in your community, consider incorporating more trees and green spaces into transportation routes. This can include planting trees along roadways or creating green spaces around transit stops.
4. Use permeable paving: Permeable paving is a type of pavement that allows water to seep through it into the soil. This can help reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality. Consider using permeable paving for sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit stops.
5. Incorporate art into transportation planning: Art can be a great way to incorporate green infrastructure elements into transportation planning. For example, consider commissioning murals that depict nature scenes or incorporating sculptures made from recycled materials.
6. Create green roofs: Green roofs are roofs that are covered in vegetation. Not only do they help absorb carbon dioxide and reduce energy use, but they can also provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.
7. Use natural stormwater management techniques: Traditional stormwater management techniques involve using pipes and drains to collect and transport stormwater away from urban areas. However, these methods can be expensive and can lead to water pollution. Consider using natural stormwater management techniques, such as creating swales and rain gardens, to absorb and filter stormwater.

Conclusion

Green infrastructure planning is an important tool for creating sustainable and resilient communities. Incorporating green infrastructure elements into transportation planning can help reduce stress, improve air quality, increase physical activity, and improve mental health. Whether you’re responsible for transportation planning in your community, or just looking to revamp your own commute, there are many ways to incorporate green infrastructure elements into your transportation routine. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and enjoyable commuting experience for everyone.