December 4th, 2009 Seminar: Energy Efficiency and Existing Buildings
Presentation of Erica Brabon
Presentation of Andrew Padian

Table of Contents


Save our Backyards Urban Forest Project

Since preservation of the built environment is inextricably linked with protection of the natural environment, LANDMARK WEST! is working to save our urban forests--the backyards, front yards and side yards of New York City. We are embarking on a three-track complementary strategy: to gather quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate the environmental benefits of privately owned open spaces, to educate the public about the importance of preserving and using these open air jewels, and to advance public policy recommendations to preserve our back, side and front yards.

First, we partnered with CUNY Insitute for Sustainable Cities (CISC) to answer a seemingly obvious question: how much privately-owned open space is there in the 5 boroughs? We learned that there are 108 acres on the Upper West Side alone, and more than 53,000 acres in the city as a whole. Click here for an open space inventory by borough.

The goal of the CISC report is to investigate the role of increased vegetated land cover within urban residential yard spaces as a strategy for urban heat island (UHI) mitigation. Remotely sensed thermal imagery land cover data were used to analyze urban vegetation distribution and density and how they relate to temperature over the hot summer months. Our preliminary results show that the amount of vegetative cover IS positively associated with lower local temperatures, but further study will be needed to give us more finely localized data to tell us how backyard trees effect ambient temperature.

Our Gotham Gazette article attracted the attention of WNYC's Brian Lehrer Show, and LANDMARK WEST! staff member Evan Mason and CISC's Bill Solecki appeared on the radio show in April, 2008. Click here to hear the show!


Greening Backyards Saves Water and $ While Beautifying Previously Overlooked Spaces
Over the summer of 2009, we partnered with NYC Soil and Water Conservation District and eDesign Dynamics, an environmental engineering firm specializing in water resources planning to "green" a back area on a paved Upper West Side back "yard" to generate data on stormwater detention.  While it would have been preferable to remove the existing concrete, it was more affordable to place well-lined very large planters on top of the concrete with a trellis and benches to make the coop backyard--really a large alleyway--more attractive. Now, the area is providing real environmental benefits by diverting water from the water treatment system while it is providing a place for building residents to eat, sip coffee and socialize.  We hope to inspire other private property owners to adopt cost-effective green infrastructure measures benefitting the entire city while making the area more aesthetically pleasing to the lucky few who get to enjoy it firsthand!

Environmental Benefits of Open Spaces Project
Hidden behind rowhouses that line many of our urban side streets are hundreds of privately owned adjoining backyards which shape open air micro-environments. Existing studies that have focused on public open spaces and vegetation have found that trees and open spaces convey a range of environmental benefits to the surrounding environment but a detailed investigation of the environmental and economic benefits of privately owned open spaces and vegetation has not yet been undertaken.

The Benefits of Open Spaces include:

  1. Trees improve air quality since they decreased air pollution and sequester carbon dioxide;
  2. Permeable surfaces and trees decrease strain on the already over-burdened water treatment system, since permeable surfaces capture rainwater during heavy rains and slows the rate of water entering our City pipes which lead to our water treatment sytem;
  3. Trees decrease energy consumption during hot summer months, since tree canopies shade surrounding buildings;
  4. Trees contribute to the reduction of the urban heat island effect;
  5. Reduce health care costs associated with respiratory illnesses, since trees reduce air pollution.

Education and Advocacy
We seek to inspire and educate, to encourage building owners and tenants alike to green even small sections of their property so that they can become a part of a sustainable urban infrastructure and these previously neglected spaces become places for residents to meet, relax and enjoy the open air!

We aim to expand upon this website to publicize resources and provide useful links to assist the community as it strives to green private property. Eventually, we will have an on-line brochure and presentation materials to educate community residents about environmental strategies that are available, affordable and suitable to employ within the small scale back yards typical on brownstone blocks. This resource will be a nexus between science and community advocacy to ensure that the scientific findings will be available and useful to the community. Protecting the open space we have--both private and public--is essential if NYC is to be sustainable and liveable in the coming years. We simply can not afford to overlook the environmental benefits that privately owned back, side and front yards convey to the city, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Public Policy Advocacy
Our initial studies inform public policy reform with regard to land use, zoning including consideration of incentives that can preserve and protect a precious and oft-overlooked resource: our back, side and front yards. Even small incursions or bites from our remaining privately owned open spaces eats away at the sustainability of our city. With this in mind, LANDMARK WEST! is advocating for exploration of 5 approaches to reforming policy:

  • Expand the existing zoning 30’ rear yard requirement to 40’;
  • Require property owners to apply for a permit through DOB to install concrete;
  • Enact tax abatement program (similar to the July, 2008 green roof tax abatement) to encourage property owners to remove concrete and to employ sustainable stormwater best management practices;
  • Reform community facility zoning to prohibit as of right incursions into private property back, front and side yards in R8B zoned districts.

    To donate or for more information, please call 212 496-8110 or email evanmason@landmarkwest.org


LW! History of Commitment to the Environment
LANDMARK WEST! has been an environmental resource to the Upper West Side since 1985 working with home, business owners, architects and landlords to preserve the environmental and historic resources of our community.  LANDMARK WEST! has demonstrated its long term commitment to protecting both our built environment and the natural environment, through its visionary tree-planting initiatives, through its Retail Assistance Program that focused on improving the 72nd street streetscape and through its Certificate of Appropriateness Committee which advocates for the incorporation historic preservation building techniques with a number of “green” concepts, such as restoration of existing materials, recycling, adaptive reuse and contextual design.  

Since 2006, LW! has demonstrated its commitment to highlighting the natural links between Historic Preservation and Green Building to deepen understanding that saving New York City’s historic built environment is inextricably links with protecting our environment.  LANDMARK WEST! has developed Green Buildings Seminars that focus on improving energy efficiency in existing buildings, innovative ways to adaptively reuse materials and restoration techniques that deepen awareness as to the natural links between  Green Building and Historic Preservation.  These seminars have gained the approval of the New York State Division of Licensing Services for real estate broker continuing education credits.


Building Preservation
The built environment offers a rich and profound record of human interaction with our environment.  Contrary to popular opinion, new buildings are often not more energy efficient than older ones. When properly maintained, existing buildings are inherently sustainable and energy efficient, since traditional materials such as brick, thick exterior walls, wood doors and traditional design are inherently “green.” Historic materials can be further enhanced during renovation to install thicker insulation, incorporate modern technologies, restoring (not replacing) windows. Energy Efficiency experts agree that most buildings, big and small, new and old, need to have holes sealed throughout the building which are often left when renovations are made or when workmen install pipes and wires making holes that are bigger than required. Another energy waster occurs when building residents open their windows in the winter due to overheated buildings! Click here for articles on green building, energy efficiency and historic preservation.

Events - stay tuned for upcoming events!

Past Events
The following seminars have been held and have offered continuing education credits for architects and real estate brokers:
Green Building and Historic Preservation Seminar December 10, 2007
Green Building and Historic Preservation Seminar April 25, 2007
Green Building, Energy Efficiency and Existing Buildings, November, 2008
Energy Efficiency, June, 2009

Photos
Please click here for some pictures showing examples of combined backyards, rich with green, lush open space, and sanctuary from the hustle-bustle of the City. Send in photos of other backyards to: landmarkwest@landmarkwest.org (please label them, so we know where they are!).

Sources



*The urban heat island effect is a measurable increase in ambient urban air temperatures resulting primarily from the replacement of vegetation with buildings, roads, and other heat-absorbing infrastructure. The heat island effect can result in significant temperature differences between rural and urban areas. http://www.epa.gov/hiri/resources/glossary.html#u



Letters of Endorsement
U.S. Congressman Jerrold Nadler
Rohit T. Aggarwala, NYC Director of Long-Term Planningn and Sustainability
NYC Councilmember Gale A. Brewer
Green Committee, Community Board 7
Victor A. Kovner




 
             
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