Publications
Owing to the hard work of Exchange Peer Learning Circle members collaborating through its Re-grant Programs, and with the support of its funders and partners, the Exchange has produced the publications shown below. A wealth of additional resources, many produced by other entities, may be found in the GSI Library, accessible by clicking below.
PUBLICATIONS BY TOPIC
Planning and Resilience: GSI Library (2020) | GSI & Schoolyards: Barriers & Solutions Report (2019) | Netherlands Study Tour (2019) | Training Framework (2020) | Climate Resilience Resources Guide: Part I (2022)
Placing Equity at the Center: State of Public Sector GSI, 2022 | Community Voices on Equity & GSI (2022) | Equity Guide (2022) | Equity Insights Report (2020) | GSI & Public Health: A National Guide (2018) | State of Equity Practice in Public Sector GSI Report (2022) | Workforce Development: Program Case Studies and Funding Scan (2019)
Innovations in Funding & Financing: Funding and Financing Resource Guide (2017) | Green Infrastructure Co-benefits Valuation Tool (2018)
Innovations in Design: GSI Right Sizing Standard Tools (2021)
Asset Management: Asset Management Resources and Toolkit (2021)
Maximizing GSI Performance: Recommendations for GSI Modeling and Monitoring Guides (2018)
PUBLICATION DESCRIPTIONS
Asset Management Resources and Toolkit (2021)
Led by the City of Toronto, Ontario and with support from Southwest Environmental Finance Center (SWEFC), this project developed a framework for high-level management of green and grey infrastructure assets. The Toolkit is focused entirely on green assets and provides practical challenges and lessons learned, as well as case studies and examples developed or obtained through the Exchange.
Climate Resilience Resources Guide: Part I (2022)
Led by the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County, CA and with support from Geosyntec Consults, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Philadelphia Water Department’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure Unit, the City of Baltimore, and City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services this project developed a resource guide to help agencies advance planning, implementation and long-term operations and maintenance of GSI with respect to modeled climate change impacts. The matrix and existing resources memo can be accessed here.
Community Voices on Equity & Green Stormwater Infrastructure (2022)
As a public-sector practioner led organization, the voice of those practitioners in Exchange publications, particularly the recent State of Equity Practice in GSI Report, is strong. This report is an attempt to reflect the the voice and perspective of community members, especially those living in low-wealth neighborhoods and historic communities of colors and cultures, which bear a disproportionately larger burden of flooding, infrastructure failure, and other climate change impacts than wealthier, whiter communities. A collection of interviews and stories from those deeply involved in community-based work– specifically in communities of colors and cultures where public infrastructure investment has been lacking– it reflects their views on how municipal GSI planning and implementation is being experienced on the ground. The data is a body of valuable knowledge, skills, and tools learned and earned through the process of working on both successful and challenged projects.
Equity Insights (2020)
Led by the City of Tucson, AZ, these reports document: 1) key lessons and insights from public sector equity leaders on challenges and successes to advancing equity in GSI, and 2) suggestions of methods, resources and tools available for GSI practitioners to advance equity outcomes.
Equity Guide for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Practitioners
The Equity Guide for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Practitioners is a comprehensive guide to advancing and measuring equity within public sector stormwater management organizations’ green stormwater infrastructure policies, programs, and projects. The Guide is a resource developed by and for green infrastructure program managers representing local public sector stormwater management organizations across the United States and Canada. The project was managed by members of the Exchange and the lead author was GreenPrint Partners.
Funding and Financing Resource Guide (2017)
A summary of funding and financing options available to pay for GSI. This document includes descriptions of public and private funding and financing sources, such as taxes and loans. It also addresses multiple implementation frameworks, such as Public Private Partnerships, that can support various funding and financing models while reducing costs.
Green Infrastructure Co-benefits Valuation Tool (2018)
The Green Infrastructure Co-benefits Valuation Tool provides a framework, methods, and values to support rapid screening-level analysis of the costs and benefits associated with a range of GSI investments. It was developed by Earth Economics with guidance from Exchange members.
Below are links to the most current version of the valuation tool and related resources. One-on-one support is available from Earth Economics.
1. Fact sheet
2. Valuation Tool
3. User Guide
Contact barbara@giexchange.org for more information.
GSI Library
Led by the City of Gresham, OR, members of our Details & Specifications Workgroup spearheaded the creation of a GSI Library to share GSI details, specifications, and policies. Since its launch in June 2020, the Library has been populated via uploads from over 100 Exchange members and will continue to be updated with new content moving forward. Recently, the GSI Library was updated to accommodate resources related to all six priority focus areas of the Exchange.
Certain aspects of this resource have been made available to the public in fall of 2022.
GSI & Public Health: A National Guide (2018)
To further the Green Infrastructure and Public Health Connection, this project aims to: (1) define the connection between GSI and community public health priorities by developing common language and metrics and (2) strengthen the collaboration between water/wastewater/public utilities and public/community health/healthcare organizations. This project was led by the City of Tucson in partnership with the Willamette Partnership and the Oregon Public Health Institute.
GSI & Schoolyards: Barriers & Solutions Report (2019)
A project to identify common challenges and solutions to implementing GSI on school grounds that emphasize learning and play opportunities. Identifying and addressing the design challenges, restrictions, and policies that create barriers to innovative GSI projects on school property was a primary focus.This project was led by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District in partnership with the Children and Nature Network.
GSI Right Sizing Standards (2021)
Led by the City of Kitchener, Ontario with support from Lotus Water and Jacobs Engineering, this project developed a tool for non-modelers to predict the volume capture and water quality benefits of various design GSI scenarios, as well as a report containing recommendations for GSI modeling standards.
View the Sizing Tools, Sizing Tools Report, and Modeling Standards Report
Netherlands Study Tour (2019)
A project to capture the findings of an in-depth peer learning tour of urban water practices in the Netherlands, a global leader in water management. The study tour, organized by the City of Vancouver and the City of Seattle, focused on integrated planning, climate change adaptation, and equity.
View video, case studies, and presentation of lessons learned
Recommendations for GSI Modeling and Monitoring (2018)
Recommendations forGSI Modeling and Monitoring that can help jumpstart nascent GSI programs while also helping refine the direction of ongoing programs. This project was led by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in partnership with Lotus Water.
State of Equity Practice in Public Sector Report (2022)
The State of Equity Practice in Public Sector GSI Report will be incorporated within the full National State of Green Stormwater Infrastructure Report in 2022. It also stands on its own, telling the equity part of the story from the perspective of those public sector entities primarily responsible for managing stormwater. Drawing mainly from a comprehensive survey issued to capture equity-focused experiences, it is an attempt to develop a national baseline understanding of the extent to which equity considerations are being centered within GSI planning, implementation and monitoring and are contributing towards achieving the equity objectives of communities. Future editions of this report will include additional data that informs a collective understanding of the extent to which this is playing out in different parts of the country.
State of Public Sector GSI, 2022
The State of Public Sector GSI, 2022 is a research report that seeks to:
- Establish a baseline to better understand the state of local public sector green infrastructure implementation, including how much has been implemented and how well it is serving communities; and
- Create a shared blueprint for local public sector implementers and those groups seeking to support them in unlocking more green infrastructure that better serves communities.
The report and corresponding data dashboard elevate the responses of 50 stormwater management organizations across the country, revealing insights to questions such as:
- What are the primary drivers of green infrastructure implementation?
- What are the key barriers to implementing green infrastructure at scale?
- What are the most effective levers for scaling implementation of green infrastructure?
- Where is green infrastructure being built?
- What are the characteristics of high impact green infrastructure, and how can these characteristics become a national standard?
Training Framework (2020)
A compilation of trainings, certification programs, educational opportunities, and other related resources, available primarily digitally, forGSI professionals. Topics include planning, designing, implementing, maintaining and monitoring GSI projects and systems, as well as leadership skills needed to supplement technical knowledge.
View Training Framework Excel Sheet
Workforce Development: Program Case Studies and Funding Scan (2019)
A project aimed at 1) better equipping public sector utilities to replicate successful models that leverage GSI investments to achieve local workforce goals; 2) identifying funders interested in supporting community programs focused on GSI workforce development; and 3) identifying recommended strategies utilities can implement to better leverage these funding opportunities This project was led by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District in partnership with Bush Consulting Group.