Green Infrastructures: The need of Urban Safety

Prof. Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein Secretary, Expert Group of the National Water Resources Committee

Member, National Water Resources Committee Visiting Professor

Civil Engineering Department, YTU, Yangon, Myanmar

The 13th International Symposium on New Technologies for Urban Safety of Mega Cities in Asia

November 3-5, 2014 YTU, Yangon, Myanmar

More than half of the world's population now lives in cities. This demographic shift

creates a host of new opportunities, but also some new risks, especially given the

challenges posed by climatic extremes.

This timely symposium , USMCA 2014, gives proper attention on these issues, and

provide important message to decision makers, researchers, and practitioners of

Myanmar and Japan.

Our focus area is Yangon City. It was founded in 6th Century as a small fishing

village. King Alaungapaya, the founder of the last line of Burmese kings, made the

town his capital in 1753 and gave the name “Yangon”. It was the chief port of

Myanmar, briefly held by the British in 1824–26; after it came under British rule in

1852.

Since then Yangon was transformed into a modern city, however, it was heavily

damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in 1930, and again in World War II.

Population in 1983 was 2,458,712 (2.56 million) -- Present Yangon City hosted

approximately 7 million peoples (by NGO data) and 4.775 million according to (29

Mar 2014 data). In 2040 Yangon population is expected to grow up to 11 million.

Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure is the network of green spaces and water

systems that delivers multiple environmental, social and economic values and services to urban communities. This network includes parks and reserves, backyards and gardens, waterways and wetlands, streets and transport corridors, pathways and greenways, farms and orchards, squares and plazas, roof gardens and living walls, sports fields and cemeteries.

Green Infrastructure secures the health, liveability and sustainability of urban environments.

It strengthens the resilience of towns and cities to respond to the major current and future challenges of growth, health, climate change and biodiversity loss, as well as water, energy and food security.

In other words, Green space and Water systems = Blue Green Infrastructure

GI in another perspective Green Infrastructure ‘The term ‘Green Infrastructure’ describes the network of natural landscape

assets which underpin the economic, socio-cultural and environmental functionality of our cities and towns-i.e. the green spaces and water systems which intersperse, connect and provide vital life support for humans and other species within our ’urban environments’.

‘Individual components’ of GI network are referred to as ‘Green

Infrastructure assets’, and these occur across a range of landscape scales—from residential gardens to local parks and housing estates, streetscapes and highway verges, services and communications corridors, waterways and regional recreation areas etc.’.

[Source: Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Green Infrastructure Report (AILA 2012)]

Why do we need Green Infrastructure?

Green Infrastructure = Life support for human habitats

Green Infrastructure = Network of Green Space and Water Systems

Climate change impacts are pressure to Mega Cities.

Climate change adaptation = better water management

Green Infrastructure is essential for the safety and sustainability of Mega Cities

Our focus at present is Yangon City and Shwedagon Pagoda

Green Infrastructure = Life support for human habitats

Safety Safety has many dimensions:

1) human health and life

2) wealth and income

3) social life

4) mobility

5) access to information

6) access to water and sanitation

7) physical and material safety

It is to achieve the sustainability of both human and nature in Mega Cities. Two main

issues involve, (i) current urban problems and (ii) climatic challenges.

The main components of this approach include city water supply and stormwater

management, drainage networks, climate adaptation, development and conservation of

water resources, less heat stress, more biodiversity, city-green spots, food production,

better air quality, sustainable energy production, clean water and healthy soils, as well as

the more anthropocentric functions such as increased quality of life through recreation

and providing shade and shelter in and around towns and cities.

Nature Nature: Maller et al. (2006) define nature as referring to ‘any single

element of the natural environment (such as plants, animals, soil, water or

air), and includes domestic and companion animals as well as cultivated pot

plants’.

Researchers also subdivide nature into different categories, for example the

Health Council of the Netherlands (2004) nominates the following:

Urban nature: nature in an urban setting (e.g. gardens, parks).

Agricultural nature: primarily agricultural landscape with small, dedicated patches of nature.

Natural forests: nature in ‘woodlands’ where management emphasizes more authentic vegetation.

Wild nature: nature in an environment that develops spontaneously and can be maintained with minimal management (e.g. natural rivers, waterfalls, woodlands etc.).

Sustainable Water Management in Mega Cities

IWRM = Integrated Water Resources Management DRR = (Water related) Disasters Risk Reduction WASH = Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - - . - . - . - . - . - . - . Surface water = Rivers, Creeks, Lakes and Reservoirs Groundwater = Shallow GW and Deep GW Wastewater = waste water treatment and effluent disposal Water quality = both drinking water and wastewater Water born diseases = Health and Hygiene = WASH Utilities and regulation of utilities Private sector’s participation Fair water allocation and water pricing Tidal water = part of energy production Air pollution control = preventing acid rains Rainwater harvesting = water security component More ………….

Water Affairs = IWRM + DRR + WASH

Flood in Yangon

Heavy monsoon rains flooded the streets of downtown Rangoon on Thursday, 22 Aug 2013 and Friday, 23 Aug 2013. Residents in Rangoon’s suburban outskirts were reportedly unable to travel to large swaths of downtown on Friday morning due to the excessive flooding that is putting additional strain on the city’s fragile infrastructure.

4 Major Causes: Heavy Rain, No CC Adaptation, non-functional Drainage System, Human behavior

Central Yangon on 22-23 Aug 2013, Source: Reuters

Map of Yangon

Shwedagon Pagoda and its neighbourhood

Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda and its neighbourhood (ii)

Sustainability of the Shwedagon Pagoda is an Issue

Danger of Groundwater over exploitation very close to the Shwedagon Hill [Source: U Khin Maung Win]

Air pollution level has been increased and Acid rain will follow [Source: U Khin Maung Win]

Localized septic tanks may pollute the groundwater underneath Shwedagon Pagoda [Source: U Khin Maung Win]

Need for centralized sewerage system (for Shwedagon Pagoda visitors and staff) with a treatment plant which can be established somewhere not so close to the Pagoda.

2.5 million tourists visited Myanmar in 2013. Even 10% of them visited Shwedagon Pagoda, the pressure on water supply and sewerage system is big. The pressure will be increased in the future as well.

Now is time to think how we can prevent the potential damage.

Water Quality Issue Important Note: Water quality testing is technical Behavioral change is social Water problems can not be solved 100% by either technical (or) social

means alone We should use socio-technological means!

Green Technologies in Water and Environment

Water treatment

Wastewater treatment

Air pollution control

Waste treatment and management

Environmental remediation

Energy conservation

Emerging green technologies

Hydrogen and fuel cells

Renewable energy

Battery storage technologies

Green buildings

Sustainable urban planning

Cleaner conventional energy

Electric power infrastructure

Cleaner transportation

Cleaner industry

Cleaner water

Carbon capture and storage

Challenges

Market challenges

Technology challenges

Financing challenges

Regulatory challenges

Three years ago, at the ICSE 2011, Keynote Speech on

Green Buildings was presented . . . . . . . . .

Green Roof and Sunshade

A Green Building

1. Efficient Use of Water 2. Efficient use of Energy 3. Efficient use of Natural Resources

4. Good System of solid waste management

5. Rain water harvesting

6. Good drainage system

7. Good ventilation

8. Reduce pollution

9. Use healthy materials

LEED RATING FOR BUILDINGS (2)

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED) Green Building Rating System™

From Green Buildings to Green Infrastructure

International Myanmar

Planning for green infrastructure

Promoting green infrastructure through national policy

Promoting green infrastructure through sub-regional

coordination

Promoting green infrastructure through local policy

Development management

Delivery – peoples’ participation

Policy Linkage

Some of the key policy documents that will have an influence on the provision of Green Infrastructure in Australia include : The State 30 Year Plan. South Australia’s Strategic Plan. Metropolitan Open Space Strategy

(MOSS). Greater Adelaide Open Space System

(GAOSS). Regional Biodiversity Plans. The Hills Face Zone. Development Plans. Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Regional

Natural Resources Management Plan. Strategic Infrastructure Plan for South

Australia. Precinct and Structure Plans.

Some of the key policy documents that will have an influence on the provision of Green Infrastructure in Myanmar (begin with Yangon City) include : 2040 Yangon Vision Master Plan. Green

included. YCDC activities on drainage and water

supply. New Reservoirs for drinking water supply. National Water Safety Plan. National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan. Groundwater Law (in process) Myanmar medium-term and long-term

Development Plans. National Water Policy. National Climate Dialogue. National Water Framework Directive. National Environmental Law YCDC Municipal regulations

International Example Myanmar Example

Important Note: Understanding Policy Contexts and Stakeholder Behaviour is essential for Consistent and Coherent Water Policies and Environmental Policies"

Myanmar National Strategy Framework

People’s Participation

For the people, by the people

Government shall provide enabling environment to sustain the willingness of the peoples

International Myanmar

Children forest program in Myanmar supported by OICAS

Key Benefits of GI in Urban Setting

Human health and well-being = long life, better income Community livability = happiness, quality of life Economic benefits = attract more business, comfortableness Climatic modification = less disasters, temperature decreases,

regulating the rainfall and cleaner air

Water management = sustainability and safety of cities – reduce flood and

Urban ecology = sustainability and safety of cities Food production = sustainability and safety of cities All benefits contribute to safety of Cities.

Benefit of GI for Children

Benefits of Climate Modifications

Improving human comfort for street

users. Modifying local microclimates. Reducing the urban heat island effect. Providing health benefits especially for

the aged. Reducing energy use and carbon

emissions. Assisting in climate change mitigation

and adaptation. Improve soil moisture and water

holding capacity. Groundwater recharge Water Purification Recreating natural water cycle Better habitat for city dwellers

Trees improve cities climatically, indeed this is probably the greatest benefit of tree planting in a built up area. “Temperature and Rainfall”

A compelling body of evidence: GI is essential in the

design and development of healthy urban environments

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE RESEARCH SITES Landscape and Human Health Laboratory

Human Dimensions of Urban Greening and Urban Forestry

American Planning Association, How Cities Use Parks

The Trust for Public Land, Center for City Park Excellence

Local Government Commission

Casey Tree Foundation, The Case for Trees & Growing a Healthier D.C.

Home Depot Foundation, Green Cities Institute

Sacramento Tree Foundation

Urban Forestry South Expo

Children & Nature Network

Evergreen, Learning Grounds

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Urban Forestry Community

UK Forest Research

Northwest Public Health, Health and the Built Environment Source: University of Washington (2014)

Final words

GI strengthens the resilience of towns and cities

to respond to the major current and future challenges of growth, health, climate change

and biodiversity loss, as well as water, energy and food security.

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