Resiliency and sustainability are no longer optional in the design of buildings or transportation, water, and utility infrastructure. Every infrastructure improvement or new design is required to have resiliency and sustainability components incorporated to increase the longevity of the asset and to provide benefits in liveability and social equity.
The green infrastructure/green streets/complete streets movement is driven by goals including sustainability, safety, and health. Green infrastructure is a network of natural and semi-natural areas that provide multiple benefits for people and the environment, and when integrated with complete street concepts strengthens the three pillars of sustainability: environment, economy, and social equity.
NV5’s technical innovators employ 3D design software and visualization tools to develop resiliency and sustainable civil infrastructure for municipalities, departments of transportation, and private sector businesses to address the demands of population growth, power shut-offs due to weather and wildfire events, sea level rise, and economic and social impacts. The results are green infrastructure solutions that help communities become more resilient, livable, and sustainable.
Benefits include:
- Reducing stormwater runoff by capturing and filtering rainwater where it falls, reducing floods and water pollution
- Improving air quality by absorbing pollutants, producing oxygen, and moderating temperatures
- Enhancing biodiversity by creating and connecting habitats for wildlife and plants
- Mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing resilience to extreme weather events and heat island effect
- Economic benefits including increases in property values and the creation of ‘green’ jobs
- Aesthetic and emotional well-being benefits associated with urban green spaces