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Unearthing Soil Science in Green Infrastructure Planning

Sisco, Nicholas D
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1223-2514
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1530270280777253

Abstract Details

2018, MCP, University of Cincinnati, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Community Planning.
Is there a nexus between soil science and green infrastructure planning? Through a literature review of fifteen recent (2005-2016) green infrastructure (GI) plans, 87% of examined GI plans mention the importance of soil properties in siting GI and 55% of plans incorporated the National Resources Conservation Service’s Soil Survey Geodatabase (SSURGO) soils layer in their suitability analyses. However, the SSURGO database lacks information on urban soils which comprise urban landscapes. Planning entities, which are aware of SSURGO’s dearth of information, still fail to assess the hydrology of potential green infrastructure sites. This research investigates the need for a site-level soil assessment. This research examines the accuracy of SSURGO’s infiltration and drainage estimations by comparing estimations to actual soil measurements collected in Cleveland, OH, USA (Shuster, et al. 2014 and Herrmann, Shuster, Garmestani 2017). The results conclude that SSURGO’s Hydrologic Soil Groups (classifications used to predict infiltration) accurately predicted infiltration in 52% of the measurements; accurate measurements are, however, limited to a mapped, undisturbed context. Further, measurements undertaken in unclassified areas (urban soil complexes) show a wide range of variability and typically had poor infiltration rates. SSURGO’s saturated hydraulic conductivity (drainage) estimates overestimate measured drainage rates and showed a high amount of error when compared to actual measurements. Thus, a soil assessment methodology is proposed with municipal planning considerations to offer a scientific solution that addresses the lack of information and high variability in infiltration and drainage estimations. Municipalities frequently cite fiscal austerity and risk aversion as reasons why soil assessment is impractical. However, with a small capital investment in sampling equipment, risk aversion can be directly addressed with discovered knowledge from a site assessment. The paradoxical attitude of being risk-averse yet unwilling to reduce risk stagnates any procedural progress. Cities realize the multifunctional benefits that properly sited green infrastructure could provide for the environment. Do cities realize the consequences of improperly siting green infrastructure? Is it not risky to impose a functionless rain garden on a disenfranchised community? Cities want to avoid the negative perception of green infrastructure as breeding grounds for mosquitoes and disease. Thus, understanding a little more about the urban environment should be in the interest of all involved stakeholders. If implemented, the proposed methodology could, strengthen the planning process, and ultimately create a better distribution of ecosystem services in urban landscapes and the environment-at-large.
Leah Hollstein, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Dustin Herrmann, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
William Shuster, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
81 p.
Urban Planning
green infrastructure; soil; hydrology; planning; urban; GIS

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sisco, N. D. (2018). Unearthing Soil Science in Green Infrastructure Planning [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1530270280777253

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sisco, Nicholas. Unearthing Soil Science in Green Infrastructure Planning. 2018. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1530270280777253.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sisco, Nicholas. "Unearthing Soil Science in Green Infrastructure Planning." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1530270280777253

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1530270280777253
222
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.