Oakland County's Green Infrastructure Visioning Project

What's Green Infrastructure?

It's an interconnected network of open spaces, natural areas and waterways. Focus is on conservation values and the services provided by natural systems in concert with, not in opposition to, land development.

Hubs: Hubs anchor the network and provide an origin or destination for wildlife. Hubs range in size from large conservation areas to smaller parks and preserves. Hubs provide habitat for native wildlife and help maintain natural ecological processes. Sites: Sites are smaller ecological landscape features that can serve as a point of origin or destination or incorporate less extensive ecologically important areas. Links: Links are the connections that hold the network together and enable it to function. They facilitate movement from one hub to another.

Why is Green Infrastructure important?

A green infrastructure network supports native species, sustains natural ecological processes, maintains air and water resources, and contributes to our health and quality of life.

Conserving Green Infrastructure can produce economic dividends for communities, businesses, and residents, as well as, provide a framework for sustainable development.

Note: This file is rather large and may take several minutes to download. Economic Benefits of Green Infrastructure (4.7 mb)

Individual Chapters:

What is Green Infrastructure? (564 kb)

Public Demand for Green Space (855 kb)

Benefits to Communities (574 kb)

Benefits to the Private Sector (373 kb)

The Cost of Green Development Design (360 kb)

Successful Green Developments in Michigan (1.2 mb)

Funding Green Infrastructure and Green Design (273 kb)

Marketing Green Infrastrucuture and Green Design (324 kb)

The Role of Local Planning (459 kb)

References (385 kb)

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