Green Infrastructure Framework

Overview

The backbone of good regional planning is a framework that integrates ecological processes into the heart of the region’s cultural and economic fabric. The regional Green Infrastructure Framework offers a planning and design approach to grow communities in ways that simultaneously tend to neighborhoods, commerce and nature.

The framework has evolved over several years of planning. It provides a roadmap for integrated processes and new approaches to protect, preserve and restore natural areas, while meeting social and economic needs at the same time.

Preface: Vacant to Vibrant

The Vacant to Vibrant Lot Transformation Calculator was built by Wichita State University with support from the Mid-America Regional Council and the Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI) for general guidance to those seeking transformational grassroots actions to convert vacant lots into vibrant community places. The tool was developed in 2020 to compliment UNI's "Vacant to Vibrant: A Guide to Working with Lots" from 2017, which was itself inspired by the Detroit Strategic Framework of 2015.

The Vacant to Vibrant website was closed in 2024 but lives on in the guide and calculator linked below (coming soon).

Vacant to Vibrant vacant lot calculator (coming soon)

Phase 1: Green Infrastructure Framework

The work of the Phase 1 Green Infrastructure Framework set the stage for quality of life that is based on regeneration — a process of analysis and engagement with the purpose of integrating living systems with human aspirations.

Green Infrastructure Framework - Connecting People to Nature (18 MB)

Appendix

Appendix Section A - Data Wishlist Appendix Section B - Precedents Appendix Section C - Workshop Materials Appendix Section D - Analysis Process Appendix Section E - Atlas and Playbook Details Appendix Section F - Policy Analysis

Phase 2: Green Infrastructure Playbook

The first edition of the Green Infrastructure Playbook offers integrated, site-based strategies that address ecological health, connections of diverse stakeholder groups and delivery of community and infrastructure services. Two projects received technical assistance — the Rock Island Corridor (Jackson County, Missouri/KCATA) and Shawnee Mission School District's Center for Academic Achievement.

Green Infrastructure Playbook Introduction Green Infrastructure Playbook - Rock Island Green Infrastructure Playbook - Shawnee Mission School District

Here We Grow: A Regional Policy Framework

Adoption of commonly held policies will provide consistent guidance across jurisdictions, sectors and practices in the region. During 2018, the process to develop a policy framework was defined by two Green Infrastructure Advisory Committee meetings and two regional stakeholder workshops. This process resulted in three overarching policy recommendations: updating local ordinances; updating stormwater engineering standards and planning guidelines; and better linking of conservation and transportation planning.

Green Infrastructure Framework (20 MB) Executive Summary Story Map Green Infrastructure Built Environment Diagram

Further Reading: Related Content

Local government and stakeholder groups across the region are working to address challenging environmental, economic and social issues that impact human health and well-being. These climate resilience efforts keep our air and water clean, improve access to quality jobs, and offset food insecurity, stormwater runoff and urban heat island effects with healthy foods, green spaces and street trees.

Complete Streets Model Green Infrastructure Ordinances for Tree Protection, Weed Management and Native Plant Encouragement Green Infrastructure Metrics Report
False