1-2: Percent of Population Hispanic or Latinx by Census Tract

Map 1-8: Park Access by Acre Per 1,000 Residents in Berwyn

Legend:

<1 acre per 1,000 people

1 - 4 acres per 1,000 people

4 - 10 acres per 1,000 people

Natural Environmental Assessment

This section provides information on Berwyn’s open space, green infrastructure, and air quality. Understanding the existing conditions of Berwyn’s natural environment and connection to environmental resources will help to identify opportunities or issues that may impact the city’s sustainability and overall resilience in the face of climate change.

Parks & Open Space Berwyn has very few parks and open green spaces, as demonstrated by Map 1-8. The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) has a standard of 10 acres of open space for every 1,000 residents, and according to CMAP, the vast majority of Berwynians have less than one acre of park space per 1,000 people, with a small section of the southeast having between four and ten acres of parks and open green spaces per 1,000 residents.36 While this is the highest acreage of parks per 1,000 people in Berwyn, many neighboring municipalities, such as Oak Park and North Riverside, have much higher figures. Parks and green spaces contribute greatly to the overall quality of life and provide important environmental benefits. It is critical that Berwyn create programs and policies that support the efficient use of acreage to conserve the already limited number of green spaces, as well as promote the transformation of brown and greyfield properties. Tree Inventory Berwyn’s tree population is an important natural resource that provides essential environmental, aesthetic, and economic benefits to the community. Tree planting and care promotes a steady population of healthy trees which bring benefits to the current and future residents of Berwyn. According to Berwyn’s Department of Urban Forestry 2013 report, the city has a total of 12,981 public trees, which provide an annual environmental contribution calculated at approximately $2,315,175, with an appraised value of $20.6 million dollars.33 However, due to the large number of Ash trees (12.3%) which are highly susceptible to disease - Berwyn’s current inventory of mature trees to date may have diminished significantly. Air Quality Index As seen below, the average annual air quality in Berwyn is 56-moderate, on the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale from 0-500 (AQI over 300 is considered hazardous).34 The most common air pollutants in the area are particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and Ozone(O3), both of which are created from the burning of fossil fuels, however, O3 is perpetuated by what is known as urban heat island effect. 35Berwyn is susceptible to PM2.5 and O3 due to major traffic arteries lacking tree canopy, impermeable surface, and its geographic positioning.

Figure 1-9: Air Quality Index for Berwyn, in Days.

Impervious Surfaces The map below shows the percentage of ground surfaces that are impervious in Berwyn by watershed. The majority of Berwyn’s land cover is over 60% impervious surfaces, with the south west corner of the city falling into the 25-60% impervious category.37 These high levels of impervious surfaces have a severe and direct impact on flooding issues in the city. Reducing these rates by introducing permeable pavements and green infrastructure can help reduce the flooding issues experienced in the city by reducing the number of impervious areas.

Map 1-9: Percentage Impervious Land Coverage in Berwyn by Watershed, 2018 Climate Change

Legend:

25 - 60% Impervious Surfaces

> 60% Impervious Surfaces Recent models by the IPCC and NOAA suggest the Chicago region, including Berwyn, will see an increase in extreme temperatures and greater variation in annual precipitation, with wetter wet years and drier dry years. By 2100, climate scientists project annual precipitation increases of between four to fourteen inches under a business-asusual scenario, and three to nine inches if C02 level are drastically reduced.38

Flooding Berwyn is flat, densely developed, with little permeable surface. Additionally, Berwyn lacks greenspace and tree canopy. These factors limit Berwyn’s resiliency in the face of climate change. Urban flooding is a significant concern for Berwyn residents. Impervious surfaces created by rooftops, parking lots, and streets increase the risk of urban flooding by preventing water from being absorbed into the soil and generating stormwater runoff. 39Precipitation and storm intensity due to climate change will place increased strain on the Berwyn’s combined sewer system, and continue to put vulnerable residents, businesses, and infrastructure at risk of flooding.

Many Berwyn neighborhoods have high concentrations of households that are more economically vulnerable to environmental hazards. Areas with high concentrations of low-income households, and minority or limited English proficiency populations are often at a greater risk of experiencing serious social, economic, and environmental impacts from these events.40

Urban Heat Island Effect Due to the prevalence of impervious surfaces in the City of Berwyn and surrounding communities, the area experiences a significant urban heat island effect. This phenomenon occurs when impervious surfaces—including streets, parking lots, rooftops, and other paved surfaces—heat up during the day, and remain warm long throughout the night.41 In northeastern Illinois, areas with greater than 50% impervious surface have been found to be five to six degrees warmer than the regional average.42 In Berwyn, the effect is felt in the form of elevated temperatures on streets and sidewalks.

In the coming years Berwyn is expected to see increases in both average annual temperatures and the number of very hot days.43 Not only can these extreme temperatures have health impacts on sensitive populations but may also affect local businesses relying on pedestrian traffic, particularly in areas with high amounts of imperviousness and little tree canopy.