chapter two
The Green Infrastructure Approach: Principles from Past to Present
T
he term green infrastructure is relatively new, but the concept is not. The green infrastructure movement is rooted in studies of the land and the interrelationship of man and nature that began over 150 years ago. Myriad disciplines have contributed theories, ideas, research, and conclusions to what has become a growing field of knowledge. Specifically, the origins of green infrastructure planning and design relate to the ideas and actions taken to conserve nature through national and state parks; wildlife refuges; forest, river, wetland, and wilderness protection; and development planning in relation to nature in the disciplines of urban planning, landscape design, and environmentally sensitive development. A third major impetus for green infrastructure is the greenways movement, which focuses attention on the impact of development on the landscape. Green infrastructure gains its strength from these interdisciplinary roots. It is a scientific approach to determining the best use of the land to support both the natural processes that exist on the landscape and the infrastructure and recreational needs of the people who live there.
