URBAN ECOSYSTEM RESTORATIONS, INC. Make Every Square Foot Count - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

URBAN ECOSYSTEM RESTORATIONS, INC. Make Every Square Foot Count February 2018

The Economics of Eco-Functioning Spaces 2

WEBINAR AGENDA v Quick Background and Analytic Framework v Systems Thinking v Eco-Functioning Spaces v Environmental Function – Brief Summary v Social Function – Brief Summary v Economic Function – Concepts and Case Studies v Relationship to Chesapeake Bay Agreement v Questions & Answers 3

So here we are… 4

Interdependent Systems š AIR Global š FOOD WEBS Region š BIODIVERSITY State š HABITAT š WATER Local š CLIMATE/WEATHER 5

Predominant Land Uses Today 6

Chesapeake Bay Region – Land Use in Context Ø Historic deforestation Ø Current development Ø Parcelization Ø Invasive species Ø Deer https://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues/forests 7

A New Analytic Framework 8

E-S-E Framework & Performance Goals B4B Goals • Stormwater management • Temperature control • Clean air • Environmental Energy efficiency Property value • • Mitigates climate change Low operating cost • • Supports food webs and Safe and secure • • living soils buildings High absorption, • high retail sales Low turnover • Regulatory • Community • compliance engagement Personal • Social Economic enjoyment Spiritual/ • emotional restoration Public health • 9

Scaling Site-Based Solutions Using New Systems to Achieve E-S-E Land Use Choices Environmental become restorative and long-term: 1. Create ecologically restorative landscapes SYSTEMS THINKING 2. Strengthen occupant health Social Economic and social needs 3. Produce Net Economic Benefit 10 10

Eco-Functioning Spaces The Right Systems for E-S-E Outcomes 11 11

Eco-Functioning Spaces: Landscape systems that achieve E-S-E goals over time. 12 12

Spectrum of Eco-Functioning Spaces: Three Illustrative Case Studies Ultra urban; Suburban; highly natural engineered systems 1.The Avenue 1. 2. Ca 2. Cawrse & & Assoc ociates 3. Prairie Crossing 3. 13 13

EFS Environmental Goals Th The Foundation 14 14

Environmental Performance Abundant Life: native habitat Clean Water: Climate Change: stormwater mitigation and retention and resilience filtration Other: air/temperature improvement 15 15

Nature’s Systems 16 16

EFS Social Goals Ne Necessary for public demand and behavior change 17 17

Social Performance Ø Eco-service functions promote mental and physical health Ø Teach people about the space, and allow them to reconnect with nature , producing deep attachments to the land and building Ø Create a sense of place while maximizing eco-function – connecting people to each other Ø Design and maintain for beauty, function, and distinctiveness – they become emotionally restorative 18 18

EFS Economic Goals Es Essential for Achieving Scale 19 19

Economic Net Benefit: Life-Cycle Components Cost Reduction/ First Costs Value Creation Avoidance Risk Subsidies/OPM Management 20 20

Key Economic Variables Urban Density, Owner/Occupant Use Type Zoning & Massing Type as of Right • Residential • Commercial • Height Limit Owner-Occupied • Office • Footprint smaller • Retail • Owner-Tenant than Lot Line • Hotel • Residential • Open Space/ Owner-Occupied Green Area • Trophy Requirement • Rent-Control/ • Class A Affordable • Lot Size/Square • Class B Footage • Public Access/ • Class C Controlled • Surrounding Access Area Land Use/ Land Cover 21 21

Economics: Value and Revenue Lever 1 22 22

The Avenue: 20 Value Creation 40 20 15 10 5 0 23 23 SITE PLAN

Economics: Cost Savings Lever 2 24 24

Life-Cycle Cost and Risk Mitigation 25 25

Costs/Revenues: NOI & ROI First cost investment of $450,000 for highly engineered system with water reuse; 7% increase of rent; $20,000 cost savings for O&M and vacancy rate drops to 1%. NOI up by $117,186 ; ROI in under 4 years. 26 26

Costs/Revenues: NOI & ROI Prime location apartments; 50 units on 1.5 acres with .5 acres of old blacktop and other open space. First cost investment of $350,000 for full ecological restoration on .5 acre; 5% increase of rent; $25,000 cost savings for O&M and vacancy rate drops to 2%. NOI up by $89,134 ; ROI in 27 27 under 4 years.

Conservation Communities – Prairie Crossing, Illinois š 677-acre site š 60% is protected open land that is actively used by people and wildlife. š more than 175 acres of restored prairies š 20 acres of restored wetlands, and š 16 acres of historic hedgerows š part of a corridor of open space with a trail system through to Grayslake, Independence Grove and beyond via the 31-mile Des 28 28 Plaines River Trail.

Economics: Risk Management Lever 3 29 29

Risk Management: Cawrse & Assocs. Treatment train with bioswale, bio- retention, rain garden and permeable pavers. “In July 2015, there was 5 inches of rain in one hour and no flooding in the parking lot. The rain garden contained the roof runoff and the bioretention/bioswale stored rainwater and did not contribute to flooding on surrounding properties, which were under more than a foot of water” 30 30

Subsidies Le Leve ver r 4 31 31

Subsidies/Incentives š Storwater management direct subsidies for green infrastructure š Stormwater utility fee abatements š Green banks š Forest conservation banks š Stormwater retention credits š Crowdfunding/Nonprofit partner fundraising š Special district/BID assessments š Informal carbon offset fundraising š Developer incentives, like increased height or density 32 32

Urban Ecosystem Restorations Ur Urban Land Trust 33 33

UER Role Supports E-S-E Goals EFS: Natural System UER: Protection, Maintenance, & Engagement Services OUTPUTS: Fresh Air, Water, Energy Efficiency, Temperature Control, Stress Management, Community Engagement and Cohesion, Community Health, Higher Rents, Lower Costs 34 34

Relationship to B4B Requirements š Abundant Life (Habitats & Fisheries) š Clean Water š Conserved Lands š Engaged Communities š Climate Change Resilience š Other Green Initiatives 35 35

Questions? 36 36

Thank you Rachel Toker, President & CEO rachel@urbanecosystemrestorations.org (202) 494-8562 37 37