Green Infrastructure: Performance, Evaluation and Monitoring

GEOG64011 Green Infrastructure: Performance, Evaluation and Monitoring 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 James Rothwell Unit coordinator Geography 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 Green infrastructure (GI) can be used to tackle a range of urban challenges such as flooding, heatwaves, poor health and wellbeing, and low levels of biodiversity. Evidence for the effectiveness of GI in tackling these challenges is crucial for informing policy, planning and delivery of GI schemes. This modules takes students through the various approaches to assess the effectiveness of GI. The module will showcase techniques and methods used in a range of environmental, social and economic challenge areas. A key part of this module is local fieldwork where students will get first hand experience of monitoring and evaluation approaches. The module also incorporates two practical classes – one a laboratory-based practical exercise, and the second a computer-based workshop. This module has been designed to complement the more theoretical programme material and to provide students with skills for fieldwork and dissertation work. Green infrastructure (GI) can be used to tackle a range of urban challenges such as flooding, heatwaves, poor health and wellbeing, and low levels of biodiversity. Evidence for the effectiveness of GI in tackling these challenges is crucial for informing policy, planning and delivery of GI schemes. This modules takes students through the various approaches to assess the effectiveness of GI. The module will showcase techniques and methods used in a range of environmental, social and economic challenge areas. A key part of this module is local fieldwork where students will get first hand experience of monitoring and evaluation approaches. The module also incorporates two practical classes – one a laboratory-based practical exercise, and the second a computer-based workshop. This module has been designed to complement the more theoretical programme material and to provide students with skills for fieldwork and dissertation work. The unit aims to:<ol><li>Describe the methodological approaches to evaluate and monitor the performance of green infrastructure in terms of environmental, social and economic challenge areas;</li><li>Engage with a selection of real world examples of evidence gathering for the effectiveness of green infrastructure;</li><li>Gain practical experience in monitoring and evaluating green infrastructure.</li></ol> This module develops and enhances academic, practical and transferable skills. Students will implement practical methods for assessing green infrastructure performance, analyse evidential datasets from green infrastructure interventions, and contribute to debate and discussions on green infrastructure. The knowledge and skills gained are directly applicable to jobs in green infrastructure planning, design, implementation and evaluation. The module also links to a wider range professions in planning, hydrology, urban forestry, community engagement, development and infrastructure provision, and local/national government.Student digital skills development  A computer practical exercise using real-world datasets. <ul><li>Explain the key methodological approaches to assess the performance of green infrastructure.</li><li>Recognise the benefits and limitations of evidence gathering for green infrastructure.</li></ul> <ul><li>Integrate and synthesise evidence/information of different types and/or from different sources.</li><li>Design a detailed green infrastructure monitoring and evaluation plan.</li></ul> <ul><li>Plan and execute a significant piece of individual research.</li></ul> <ul><li>Understand, assimilate and retrieve information from a range of sources.</li><li>Produce practice-/professional-orientated reports/briefs.</li></ul> Syllabus (indicative curriculum content):<ul><li>Introduction and context</li><li>Environmental Challenges – Flooding</li><li>Environmental Challenges – Heatwaves</li><li>Environmental Challenges – Water Quality</li><li>Environmental Challenges – Biodiversity</li><li>Social Challenges – Health and Wellbeing</li><li>Social Challenges – Social Justice and Cohesion</li><li>Economic Challenges</li><li>Data storage, sharing and dissemination</li></ul> The module uses a variety of teaching methods including lectures, lab and computer classes, and a fieldtrip. The module will also make use of practitioners/stakeholders in the arena of green infrastructure. The module will make use of a blended learning environment.1. Face-to-face lectures = 20 hoursFace-to-face lectures will be held to showcase the key approaches for assessing green infrastructure performance. These lectures will be separated into three challenge areas; environmental, social and economic2. Practical classes = 6 hoursThere are two practical classes associated with this module – a computer class and a lab class. The computer class will involved working with an environmental dataset from a green infrastructure scheme. The lab class will showcase the equipment available in Geography for the processing and analysis of samples collected from green infrastructure schemes.3. Field class = 4 hoursCentral to this module is a local field class. This field class will support the lecture material and feed into the module assignments. 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 20% 3 Report 80% Individual written feedback via the VLE.   MSc Env.Montrng, Modlng & Reco MSc Env.Montrng, Modlng & Reco PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Env.Montrng, Modlng & Reco MSc Env.Montrng, Modlng & Reco PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Green Infrastructure MSc Green Infrastructure PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Green Infrastructure MSc Green Infrastructure PT PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Climate Change: SSC MSc Climate Change:SSC PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Climate Change: SSC MSc Climate Change: SSC PGDT Taught Component Optional N Aerts, R., Honnay, O., & Van Nieuwenhuyse, A. (2018). Biodiversity and human health: Mechanisms and evidence of the positive health effects of diversity in nature and green spaces. British Medical Bulletin, 127(1), 5–22. Armson, D., Stringer, P., Ennos, A.R. (2013). 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Relationships between health outcomes in older populations and urban green infrastructure size, quality and proximity. BMC Public Health. 20, 1, 626.Ellis, J.B. (2013). Sustainable surface water management and green infrastructure in UK urban catchment planning. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 56(1), 24-41.Gascon, M., Triguero-Mas, M., Martínez, D., Dadvand, P., Rojas-Rueda, D., Plasència, A. (2016). Residential green spaces and mortality: A systematic review. Environment International, 86, 60–67Labib, SM., Lindley, S. & Huck, J. (2019). Spatial Dimensions of the Influence of Urban Green-Blue Spaces on Human Health: A Systematic Review. Environmental Research, 180, 22, 108869.Lashford, C., Rubinato, M., Cai, Y., Hou, J., Jingmong, A., Coupe, S., Charlesworth, S., Tait, S. (2019) SuDS & sponge cities : a comparative analysis of the implementation of pluvial flood management in the UK and China. Sustainability, 11 (1), 213.Niemelä, J. (2014). Ecology of urban green spaces: The way forward in answering major research questions. Landscape and Urban Planning, 125, 298–303.Saraev, V. (2012). Economic benefits of greenspace: a critical assessment of evidence of net economic benefits. Forestry Commission Research Report. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh.Skelhorn, C., Lindley, S., Levermore, G. (2014). The impact of vegetation types on air and surface temperatures in a temperate city: A fine scale assessment in Manchester, UK. Landscape and Urban Planning. 121, 129-140.Speak, A.F., Rothwell, J.J., Lindley, S.J., Smith, C.L. (2013). Rainwater runoff retention on an aged intensive green roof. Science of the Total Environment, 461/462, 28-38. Tyrväinen, L., Miettinen, A., (2000). Property prices and urban forest amenities. Journal of Environmental Economic and Management, 39 (2), 205–223. Fieldwork 4 Lectures 20 Practical classes & workshops 6 0 120