Baetz, Brian (McMaster University)

Purpose

This proposed research program will focus on resilient green infrastructure asset management . The work is related to the technical standard CAN/CSA-ISO 37120 (2015), which focuses on a framework for sustainable community planning . From applications in the proposed research program's first focus area of an individual residence (e.g., rainwater harvesting; micro-solar), and the second focus area of a community block and/or neighbourhood (e.g. community gardens; street trees), the need for consideration of resiliency and sustainability principles has never been more pressing due to the multi-hazard systemic risks (e.g. wind, flood, fire and oil spill events) that are increasingly and currently being faced by Canadian municipalities. During the planning, design and maintenance phases for green infrastructure, a wide range of options must be considered to select the most robust and resilient alternative. This proposed research program will develop a suite of decision support system tools, to aid design professionals and decision-makers responsible for green infrastructure asset management. These prototype tools will be modular, easily updatable, and have effective graphical user interfaces to make decisions on the selection of alternatives to maximize sustainability benefits and resiliency achievement for Canadian municipalities. The proposed research will facilitate the training of three PhD and two MASc graduate students.