Status and future directions for residential street infrastructure retrofits

Authors and Affiliations: 

Ksenia Aleksandrova, M.L.A., Dr. Wendy McWilliam, Dr. Andreas Wesener,

Lincoln University (New Zealand)

Corresponding author: 
Wendy McWilliam
Abstract: 

Post World War II suburban residential street designs have been widely criticised for being socially, ecologically and/or economically unsustainable (e.g. Benfield et al. 1999; Randall & Baetz 2001; Wheeler, 2003; Dunham-Jones 2005; Talen 2011). Current studies demonstrate green, grey and green-grey infrastructures within cities can support multiple and high functioning ecosystem services (e.g. Fernández‐Jurici, 2000; Coutts et al., 2016; McPherson and Simpson, 2003; Vailshery et al. 2013; Nowak et al. 2013; Dietz 2007; Sauter and Huettenmoser 2008; de Vries et al. 2013; Watson & Kessler 2013; Wolch et al. 2014; Bunn et al., 2003; Biddulph 2012). While many of these infrastructures could be retrofitted into existing streets to improve their functions, the extent to which this has occurred is unknown. Through a systematic literature review of research, this study reports on the status, trends and future prospects of street retrofits that integrate green, grey and green-grey infrastructures into existing residential streets. We found limited studies on retrofits, with all studies dated from 2008. However, those analysed suggest that street composition, the level of green, grey and green-grey infrastructure integration, and the ecosystem services provided by infrastructures are beginning to change, particularly infrastructures supporting sociocultural and stormwater regulatory services. Human and human-nature – based components of hybrid street infrastructures are largely the focus of study rather than nature based components, indicating the importance of human-based services to urban ecosystem function. We propose an adapted landscape services framework in addition to landscape ecology-based spatial analysis concepts to advance the study of street infrastructure performance in support of human health and wellbeing. Barriers and enablers to the implementation of street retrofits are provided, in addition to opportunities for future research.

References: 

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Oral or poster: 
Oral presentation
Abstract order: 
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