Go To 2040 plan focuses on environment

Go To 2040 plan focuses on environment

The “Go To 2040” plan being prepared by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)includes many environmental features, according to one of its planners.

Two primary focuses of the plan—a comprehensive planning campaign for land use, transportation and infrastructure needs of the seven-county metropolitan region over the next 30 years—are reducing greenhouse gases and preserving open space, environmental planner Jesse Elam said at the Sixth Annual DuPage Environmental Summit at Benedictine University.

“I realize that the economy is in the tank right now but if you take the long range view, we will still need to house 2 million more people in 30 years,” he said. “Driving may have dipped a little bit last year from higher gas prices but we will continue travel and congestion has been on a very long upward path.”

For these reasons, CMAP has incorporated measures into its plan that take into consideration the expected population growth and how it will affect the environment.

The most crucial of these affects will be the carbon emissions from vehicles. These greenhouse gases have already brought about climate change, said Evans.

Research done by the city of Chicago shows that over the past 25 years increasing temperatures have decreased ice cover over Lake Michigan, thus evaporating more and more water each year. At the current pace, the lake level will drop by more than 18 inc0hes by the end of the century.

Another affect of increased carbon emissions is increased intensities of storms, which will produce more flooding, Elam said. Climate change in general will lead to a warmer year-round temperature, which could dramatically change the types of plants and animals adapted to live in the region.

“There is no other issue that touches as many areas of society as climate change,” said Elam.

Possible solutions that CMAP is researching are investments in other forms of transportation and encouraging the development of housing near job centers.

There are ancillary benefits to reducing the region’s carbon footprint also. For example, if vehicle miles traveled are reduced, that in turn reduces traffic congestion. Additionally, businesses and homes that incorporate green practices will save money in the long run as well.

“We think we can manage the impact by using the tools already at our disposal to mitigate carbon emissions,” Elam said.

Other environmental focuses of the Go To 2040 plan will be to implement and accrue financing for open space preservation, which would lead to lower land consumption, and the continuation of the Greenways and Trails plan, which has doubled the trail mileage in the seven county region over the past 11 years.

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Lou Noto, AIA, a principal with Hinsdale-based DLA Architects, Ltd. has been designated a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional by the United States Green Building Council.

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Recognizing the need to upgrade its Merchandise Mart showroom in an environmentally conscious manner, Hanamint, a distributor and manufacturer of high and mid-market cast aluminum casual furniture and accessories to specialty retailers, has hired Hinsdale-based M. Grace Designs for the “green” renovation project.

“Our goal was to utilize local manufacturers and vendors to reduce CO2 emissions,” said Grace Sielaff, founder of M. Grace Designs, a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Demolition of existing walls was minimized, while most of the products specified were obtained from locally approved suppliers. Materials used, such as paints and adhesives, were low in VOC (volatile organic compounds). Additional green design and development features included: 3Form products made of 40 percent post industrial, reclaimed material, and formaldehyde free and non-toxic Flor carpet tiles.

Located on the 17th floor of the Merchandise Mart Design Center, the showroom’s welcome desk was made in Chicago, reducing the environmental impact resulting from transportation elsewhere.

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The Dan Wolf Toyota of Naperville dealership, slated for completion by the spring of 2009, is utilizing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) construction techniques. Its shop is filled with natural light from high-tech skylights, employs bay doors that open quickly to avoid heat and cold loss, and uses oversized, 24-foot-wide ceiling fans that help reduce or eliminate heating and cooling costs, in addition to dozens of other environmentally conscious features.

Built to maximize local and recycled materials, the facility is made up of elements which conserve energy and water. Some of the highlights of the dealership include self-sustaining landscaping that requires minimal additional watering, an energy efficient inductive lighting systems, and sun-tracking skylights to optimize natural daylight use and lower interior light use.

Although the size of the new dealership is nearly double that of the current facility, due to high efficiency insulation, heating, cooling and ventilation systems, energy use will be less than many dealers half its size. It will be located at 1500 W. Ogden Road, Naperville.

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The Fox Valley Land Foundation, an organization dedicated to conserving the disappearing land in the Fox Valley, has merged with The Conservation Foundation.

As a result of the merger, Fox Valley Land Foundation projects, programs and mission will all continue to be carried out; Fox Valley Land Foundation members are now members of The Conservation Foundation; and the restoration ethos and dedication of Fox valley Land Foundation will continue and spread to the larger region served by The Conservation Foundation.

Jeremy Stoltz, News Editor

Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 (Archive on Wednesday, February 04, 2009)
Posted by jstoltz Contributed by jstoltz

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