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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

CHARLESTON,SC

ABSTRACT

Background: Charleston, South Carolina also known as “the city by the sea”, is nestled right next to the Atlantic ocean. With nearly 2,876 miles of roaming coastline and being one of the biggest port cities in the south, there are many that call this beloved place home. However, over the past few years with global warming on the rise the city of Charleston has seen drastic changes in the city itself as well as in its ecosystem. With rising sea levels, and major flooding the quality of life in the city of Charleston has been heavily impacted.

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Vision: In establishing a sustainable and green infrastructure my vision is to not only improve the overall quality of life for those who call Charleston home, but to preserve its rich history for generations to come.

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Design Proposal: It is with all of this in mind that I want to implement a sustainable and green infrastructure into the city of Charleston in order to combat rising sea levels and urban flooding. This goal will be achieved by implementing green roofs throughout the city in high risk flood zones.

The Charleston Lowcountry is notorious for flooding. Whether it be a hurricane, storm surge, high tide, or a rainstorm, “every time it rains, it floods”. With rising sea levels and climate change on the rise, flooding in Charleston has increasingly gotten worse and will only continue to worsen. It is estimated that Charleston sea levels could rise 21 inches by 2050. It is also estimated that the city could see nearly 180 days of flooding by 2045 and nearly $150 billion of infrastructure could be threatened.

CLIMATE CHANGE 

FLOODING

Defined: Green infrastructure combats and reduces the risks of floodwaters and issues involved with climate change by simply “building with nature”.

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Types of green infrastructure: Green roofs, rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, planter boxes, bioswales, permeable pavements, green streets, and green parking.

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Benefits: Enhances urban biodiversity, improves water and air quality, reduces flood risk, saves energy, and is cost effective.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

NETHERLANDS 

CASE STUDY

With climate change on the rise the world looks to the Netherlands for help. Known for their complex levee systems, the Dutch have been reclaiming land from the sea for centuries. This is all made possible through storm surge barriers and Dutch dikes. The Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier stands to protect the Netherlands against a raging sea. With two moving doors that are 210 meters wide, 22 meters high and 15meters deep, the Maeslant storm surge barrier is the largest of its kind in the world. Along with this, the Netherlands have used man-made Dutch dikes since the 11th century in order to defend their land from climate change and a rising sea.

The Battery, built in 1909, is Charleston's infamous seawall. Offering panoramic views of the harbor, there are millions that flock to this area yearly to soak in its history and charm.

However, due to natural disasters and rising sea levels the Battery has been heavily impacted and has been in need of a major upgrade. With this, the city of Charleston recently approved a million dollar project in order to raise the Low Battery by 21 ⁄ 2 feet in order to combat storm surges and a rising sea.

Home to a 95 year old living roof, a water treatment plant in Zürich, Switzerland serves as a testimony to how impactful green roof systems can be. Over the years this living roof has become a habitat all of its own, serving as a home for nine different species of orchids. Incredible practices like this are due to federal laws in Switzerland that have been set in place since the ‘90s. These laws require that all new buildings incorporate sustainable green roofs.

These laws are in affect for good reason too. Research shows that green roofs have the ability to reduce the overall cost of heating and air by nearly 20%.

Known for not only having the most advanced knowledge of green roof systems, but having the most green roof systems in the world. The success behind Germany's green infrastructure lies behind their extensive federal laws. These laws state that at any time in which a human disrupts natural landscapes, they must find a way to restore or compensate for it. In turn, incentives are given in order to persuade more people to use sustainable practices like green roofs. For example, there is a law set in place that charges households for the amount of stormwater runoff their property produces. These laws not only make perfect sense, but they set an example we should all follow.

GERMANY 

CASE STUDY

SWITZERLAND

CASE STUDY

CHARLESTON 

LOW BATTERY

 

GREEN ROOFS

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Defined:

Green roofs, also known as living roofs, are systematic structures that are covered in vegetation and often replace the traditional roofs found on buildings. These roofs come in many shapes and sizes including intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive green roofs.

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Why Green Roofs?

In an age where climate change has become an increasing concern, people are looking to greener practices in order to reduce their carbon footprint and preserve mother earth. One of those great practices are green roofs systems. Green roof systems not only improve the local environment but they also fight against climate change. They first do this by combating the "urban heat island effect”. This is an effect that makes cities hotter than the surrounding areas. With this, they also save energy by naturally cooling buildings. Second, they help to prevent flooding by stopping rain right where it falls. This in turn decreases the pollution brought on by stormwater runoff. Lastly, they are a great resource in helping improve local habitats.

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INTENSIVE GREEN 

ROOFS

Function:

Typically used on commercial buildings and designed for people to enjoy. These types of green roofs support a wide range of plants including grass, flowers, shrubs and trees. In addition to this, walkways, benches, and fountains are often incorporated into the system.

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Weight:

35 pounds per square foot.

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Price: $25 per square foot.

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Advantages:

Designed for people to use and enjoy. It can also support larger plant systems.

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Disadvantages:

High maintenance, heavier weight, and less cost effective.

Function :

Typically used for smaller residential buildings these green roofs are considered the simplest. Unlike the intensive style roof, these roofs are often home to plants with shallow roots - including succulents and grass.

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Weight:

18 pounds per square foot.

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Price: $10 per square foot.

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Advantages:

Low maintenance, lighter weight, and more cost effective.

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Disadvantages:

Not designed for people to use and enjoy and cannot support larger plant systems.

EXTENSIVE GREEN  

ROOFS

What is retrofitting?

Retrofitting refers to the process of adding a new system into an existing system or structure. In this case, retrofitting involves adding a green roof system into an already existing commercial building roof.

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Things to be considered:

  • How old is the existing roof?

  • How much weight can the existing roof support?

  • What are the current conditions of the existing roof?

  • Do I-beams need to be installed to support the load of a green roof?

 

Disadvantages:

  • Can be more expensive than a traditional green roof.

RETROFITTING

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Vision:

While these living roofs may not be visible from street view, my goal is to maintain a spirit
of excellence while cultivating a sustainable infrastructure that is rooted in local tradition.
These roofs will play a huge role in boosting the local environment. They will serve as
a catalyst in combating climate change and excess urban flooding in the Charleston area. Along with this, these green roofs will
serve as a layer of defense for protecting structures from damaging rainfall events.
Ultimately they will help in preserving the rich history and longevity of the city of Charleston for generations to come.

SUMMARY  

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