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| Resource Library > Installation Planning > Sustainable Planning |
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Sustainability is a term that is broadly defined, and principally targeted to specific applications; e.g., facility design and construction, environment, transportation, the economy, etc. In reality, sustainability from an installation perspective is all about mission, with each person in some way or other being a contributor. The following discusses sustainability as it applies to Air Force planning, and highlights some of the things a planner can do integrate sustainability into mission support.
What Is Sustainable Planning?
There isn't one clear-cut definition for Sustainable Planning. In some circles it's referred to as Smart Growth, in others, Sustainable Development and in others, it's planning with nature. Quite simply, it's "common sense"-doing what is smart in conjunction with the various constraints and requirements that govern planning on an Air Force installation. Planning on most Air Force installations requires attention to criteria and standards unique to the military-explosives safety QDs, airfield and airspace clearances and height restrictions, aircraft noise exposure and force protection standoff distances. All these need to be considered and factored into any planning effort.Before discussing the steps and actions that contribute to sustainability, lets look at some facts.
- Most, if not all, Air Force infrastructure on an installation in terms of buildings, roads and utilities is generally well defined and works well in concert with one another to support the mission.
- Dramatic changes to the physical configuration of Air Force installations are unlikely. Given the current and projected budget and funding environment, the installation's footprint can be expected to remain relatively stable with only gradual change.
With these facts in mind, lets now take a look at what opportunities there are for the community planner to add to the installation's sustainability legacy.
Community Planner
So what can you, as the installation planner, do to contribute to sustainable planning? Here are some things you can and should consider as you perform your planning duties:
- Review the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) criteria (www.usgbc.org). Make planning decisions to maximize LEED conformity
- Consider the re-use of existing facilities as opposed to building new when assessing organizational space requirements.
- Where feasible and practical, consider vertical construction to minimize the building footprint.
- Participate in construction project charettes, or other venues where project-specific sustainable goals are discussed and established.
- Look for opportunities to "in-fill" when site planning new facilities. This may require finding middle ground in light of force protection standards. "In-filling" plugs the gaps between existing facilities. Ideally it places functionally related facilities in proximity to one another thereby promoting walking versus driving. The benefits are reduced CO and other air emissions.
- Think long term! Think mission! Don't jeopardize the logical development of aircraft operational requirements on prime airfield real estate. For example, don't site or construct an unrelated facility along the flightline that may encumber future aircraft parking or hangar expansion needed for a new or expanded mission. Poor siting decisions can limit your options, add incurred costs to reverse the situation, or impair operational efficiency. The same consideration should be given to other functional areas such as community centers, administrative cores and dormitory complexes.
- Think in terms of area as opposed to a single site when site planning a new facility. Preparing area development plans establishes a pattern for future development that creates an effective and efficient arrangement of interrelated facilities, takes advantage of shared parking to reduce impervious surfaces and promotes pedestrian circulation.
- Conduct a thorough analysis of the project site. Here are a few things to consider:
- Avoid sites that require excessive cut and fill. Not only does it increase site preparation costs, it potentially can contribute to future drainage and erosion problems
- Site adapt facilities to preserve existing trees to the extent possible, particularly the mature ones.
- Avoid sites that disrupt or damage on-site or downstream habitats.
- Consider solar gain in facility orientation. With the right orientation, a savings in future energy costs can be realized.
- Avoid if at all possible sites that encroach on wetlands, wildlife habitats and families of endangered plants.
- Re-evaluate existing roads and traffic patterns. In many cases, certain base roads can be closed without affecting efficient traffic flow. Closing a road can:
- Create "super blocks" for planning major complexes such as dormitories and administration cores.
- Minimize vehicular-pedestrian conflicts, improve connectivity between related facilities and create pleasant and safe pedestrian movement
- Reduce impervious surfaces
- Create greater opportunities for shared parking
The opportunities to contribute to sustainability are there. It is up to you to look for ways to make it happen. The community planner in concert with others can make sustainability a conscious and integral component of installation development.
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