Da Vinci Science City, Easton PA - Lehigh University DVSC Lehigh Poster...- Minimize air, noise, and...
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Abstract is analysis describes impacts to community, environment, economy, health and climate related to the construction and operation of the proposed Da Vinci Science City (DVSC) in Easton, Pennsylvania. e impacts to sustainability extend to influences from construction, building systems, food, programs and transportation of the project. Recommendations are de- signed to offer synergistic opportunities where DVSC or the City of Easton might work to reduce or eliminate impacts. e recommendations include, but are not limited to, improvements to downtown walkability, integration of local businesses in DVSC programming, renewable energy and building efficiency measures, environmental protection tactics and greenhouse gas management in striving for climate neutrality. e goal of this assessment was to identify the connectivity of impacts and a systems-based approach to resolving potential detriments to the sustainability of DVSC and the City of Easton as a result of this development project. It is of the utmost importance and urgency that climate change be acknowledged and combated in the building sector, and this project’s expected function as a hub of education, community interaction and innovation presents an opportunity for DVSC and the City of Easton to cultivate a regulatory standard that works with and protects the local and global community. Objectives, Goals & Methodology e goal for this project is to create a sustainability impact assessment for Da Vinci Science City that includes impacts to the climate, environment, community, health, and economy as a result of building systems, transportation, food, programs and operations, and construction. Aſter preliminary research and mapping of the area, we began to create a list of possible impacts and recommendations. rough meetings with key players of the city as well as the da Vinci Science Center, we put together this report of integrated impacts, recommendations, and relationships to other aspects of city legislature. e overall goal for this project was to create a replicable framework for all future projects, specifically in the city of Easton, but eventually for all of Pennsylvana. e general framework for this type of assessment is set in the requirements for sustainability assessments in city ordinances. ! ( I- 78 US Hwy 22 State Rte 611 State Rte 248 Northampton St S Delaware Dr N Delaware Dr I- 78 US Hwy 22 Delaware Riv Lehigh Riv Bushkill Crk Bushkill Crk ! ( I- 78 US Hwy 22 State Rte 611 State Rte 248 Northampton St S Delaware Dr N Delaware Dr I- 78 US Hwy 22 Delaware Riv Lehigh Riv Bushkill Crk Bushkill Crk Percent Below Poverty Line Percent with a Disability Specified Characteristics of Easton, PA and Phillipsburg, NJ 0 1 2 0.5 Miles 0 1 2 0.5 Miles μ ! ( Delaware Riv Lehigh Riv Bushkill Crk Bushkill Crk I- 78 US Hwy 22 State Rte 611 State Rte 248 Northampton St N Riverside Dr I- 78 Percent With a Disability Not Included 0-10 10-15 15-20 20-25 Major roads Rivers ! ( Proposed Da Vinci Science Center Legend Unemployment rate 0 1 2 0.5 Miles Percent Below Poverty Line Not Included 0-10 10-20 20-25 25-30 Percent Unemployed Not Included 0-5 5-10 10-15 15-20 ! ( Delaware Riv Lehigh Riv Bushkill Crk Bushkill Crk I- 78 US Hwy 22 State Rte 611 State Rte 248 Northampton St S Delaware Dr I- 78 US Hwy 22 Phillipsburg Children Under 18 617 618 - 796 797 - 814 815 - 997 Easton Children Under 18 382 383 - 641 642 - 902 903 - 1431 0 1 2 0.5 Miles Children under 18 Location e Easton and Phillipsburg Area near the proposed location site are mapped for pov- erty, disability, unemployment, and num- ber of school age children. Findings show that the immediate census tract that the facility is within has high levels of disabil- ity and poverty, as well as low numbers of school age children. ese are important figures to note because of Environmental Justice concerns. e Community Health Needs Assess- ment (CHNA) conducted by the Health Care Council of the Lehigh Valley in 2016 identifies the key influences of health as housing, education, air and environment, and individual behaviors. Aſter evaluating the determinants of health, specifically in the Easton area, three of the top five health priorities included promoting healthy life- styles, improving mental health, and im- proving child health. Sustainability Impact Assessment Da Vinci Science City, Easton PA Impacts: Acknowledgments Because this project was so integrative, working together collaboratively as a group, along with key players in the city and local businesses, was key to our success in creating this report. We would like to thank Lin Erickson for her time and cooperation throughout the summer. We would also like to thank Easton Mayor Sal Panto, Rachel Hogan-Carr (Nurture Nature Center), Kate Semmens-Berti (Nurture Nature Center), Charles Elliott (Easton Planning Commission), Rep. Robert Freeman, Dan Sobrinski (WSP Group), Anna Smith (Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem), Dawn Hart (Easton Director of Economic Development), Tina Roseberry (Easton Director of Planning and Zoning), and Professors Mary Wilford-Hunt (Lafayette College), Karen Beck Pooley (Lehigh University), and Don Morris (Lehigh University) for their time and guidance. I would also like to thank the Environmental Initiative at Lehigh for making this project possible. Major Recommendations Building Systems - Conduct Green House Gas inventories, utilize efficient building strategies, and implement renewable energy systems - Minimize water use, while maximizing use of recycled gray water, filtered waste- water, and collected rainwater - Develop an effective recycling program and compost all food waste - Consider building scale, the accessibili- ty of green space, and use of low emitting materials Transportation - Develop systems of alternative transpor- tation to mitigate increased vehicle traffic - Potential infrastructural investments in- clude implementation of a bike share pro- gram, electric vehicle charging stations, alleyway revitalization, wayfinding and signage Food - Serve organic, affordable, healthy, local food with nutrition facts in all food ser- vices - Utilize reusable items, minimize pack- aging, and provide estimated carbon foot- prints of all menu items Educational Programs & Operations - Provide educational programming to teach environmental consciousness and encourage healthy activities - Be fully accessible to all - Strive to be symbiotic and collaborative with the local community and businesses - Hire locally - Consider sustainable supply chain man- agement Construction - Cultivate sustainability in contractor re- lationships - Minimize air, noise, and light pollution from construction vehicles and site activ- ities - Be transparent and engage the local com- munity in the construction process and planning - Consider the life cycle impacts of con- struction related materials and processes Intern-Author Olivia Barz, Lehigh University *Co-Authors: Ryan Dougherty, Lafayette College Harris Eisenhardt, SUNY ESF Ashley Kushner, Lafayette College Brandy Moser, Boston University Construction Planning & Administration Material sourcing and Disposal Air, Noise, & Light Pollution Community Impacts Traffic Food Production & Transportation Relationship with Local Restaurants Healthy Food Options Waste & Packaging Programs & Operations Operations & Supply Chain Community Implications Education & Exhibits Building Systems Water & waste management Building scale Green space Energy use Air quality Transportation Traffic and GHG Emissions Alternative Transportation Infrastructure 1. An analysis and discussion of cli- mate change impacts related to the project construction and operation. a. Project authorities shall develop a projected greenhouse gas inven- tory, including expected emissions associated with all aspects of the development proposal. 2. Energy efficiency plan draſted and approved prior to construction, in- cluding possible use of renewable en- ergy, demonstrating stricter require- ments than those of ASHRAE 90.1 2016. 3. Environmental considerations be- yond code requirements. a. Project authorities shall pro- duce a projection of local pollution threats associated with all stages of development, including innovative strategies for remediation and pre- vention. 4. A description of how any exhibits, events and/or ticketed occasions will be focused on local topics. 5. Human, environment and commu- nity health impacts projected for all stages of the development project. 6. Disclosure of expected commercial endorsements and anticipated local funding sources a. Financing shall consider lo- cal funding and welfare a priority throughout the development time- line. 7. Analysis of conflicting or synergistic strategies in relation to easton’s com- prehensive plan. 8. Resilience prioritized in planning and outlining of project timeline, high- lighting sustainability as a function of long term impacts. 9. Commitment to report on sustain- ability impacts annually, including a greenhouse gas inventory. Requiring Sustainability Assessments in City Ordinances Olivia Barz*
Transcript of Da Vinci Science City, Easton PA - Lehigh University DVSC Lehigh Poster...- Minimize air, noise, and...
AbstractThis analysis describes impacts to community, environment, economy, health and climate related to the construction and operation of the proposed Da Vinci Science City (DVSC) in Easton, Pennsylvania. The impacts to sustainability extend to influences from construction, building systems, food, programs and transportation of the project. Recommendations are de-signed to offer synergistic opportunities where DVSC or the City of Easton might work to reduce or eliminate impacts. The recommendations include, but are not limited to, improvements to downtown walkability, integration of local businesses in DVSC programming, renewable energy and building efficiency measures, environmental protection tactics and greenhouse gas management in striving for climate neutrality. The goal of this assessment was to identify the connectivity of impacts and a systems-based approach to resolving potential detriments to the sustainability of DVSC and the City of Easton as a result of this development project. It is of the utmost importance and urgency that climate change be acknowledged and combated in the building sector, and this project’s expected function as a hub of education, community interaction and innovation presents an opportunity for DVSC and the City of Easton to cultivate a regulatory standard that works with and protects the local and global community.
Objectives, Goals & MethodologyThe goal for this project is to create a sustainability impact assessment for Da Vinci Science City that includes impacts to the climate, environment, community, health, and economy as a result of building systems, transportation, food, programs and operations, and construction. After preliminary research and mapping of the area, we began to create a list of possible impacts and recommendations. Through meetings with key players of the city as well as the da Vinci Science Center, we put together this report of integrated impacts, recommendations, and relationships to other aspects of city legislature. The overall goal for this project was to create a replicable framework for all future projects, specifically in the city of Easton, but eventually for all of Pennsylvana. The general framework for this type of assessment is set in the requirements for sustainability assessments in city ordinances.
!(
I- 78
US Hwy 22
State Rte
611
State Rte 248Northampton St
S Delaware Dr
N D
elaw
are
Dr
I- 78
US Hwy 22
Delaware Riv
Lehigh Riv
Bushkill Crk
Bushkill Crk
!(
I- 78
US Hwy 22
State Rte
611
State Rte 248Northampton St
S Delaware Dr
N D
elaw
are
Dr
I- 78
US Hwy 22
Delaware Riv
Lehigh Riv
Bushkill Crk
Bushkill Crk
Percent Below Poverty Line
Percent with a Disability
Specified Characteristicsof Easton, PA and
Phillipsburg, NJ
0 1 20.5 Miles
0 1 20.5 Miles
µ
!(
Delaware RivLehigh Riv
Bushkill Crk
Bushkill Crk
I- 78
US Hwy 22
Stat
e Rt
e 61
1
State Rte 248Northampton St
N R
iverside Dr
I- 78
Percent With a DisabilityNot Included
0-10
10-15
15-20
20-25
Major roads
Rivers
!( Proposed Da Vinci Science Center
Legend
Unemployment rate
0 1 20.5 Miles
Percent Below Poverty LineNot Included
0-10
10-20
20-25
25-30
Percent UnemployedNot Included
0-5
5-10
10-15
15-20
!(
Delaware RivLehigh Riv
Bushkill Crk
Bushkill Crk
I- 78
US Hwy 22
Stat
e R
te 6
11
State Rte 248Northampton St
S Dela
ware D
r
I- 78
US Hwy 22
Phillipsburg Children Under 18617
618 - 796
797 - 814
815 - 997
Easton Children Under 18382
383 - 641
642 - 902
903 - 1431
0 1 20.5 Miles
Children under 18
LocationThe Easton and Phillipsburg Area near the proposed location site are mapped for pov-erty, disability, unemployment, and num-ber of school age children. Findings show that the immediate census tract that the facility is within has high levels of disabil-ity and poverty, as well as low numbers of school age children. These are important figures to note because of Environmental Justice concerns.
The Community Health Needs Assess-ment (CHNA) conducted by the Health Care Council of the Lehigh Valley in 2016 identifies the key influences of health as housing, education, air and environment, and individual behaviors. After evaluating the determinants of health, specifically in the Easton area, three of the top five health priorities included promoting healthy life-styles, improving mental health, and im-proving child health.
Sustainability Impact AssessmentDa Vinci Science City, Easton PA
Impacts:
AcknowledgmentsBecause this project was so integrative, working together collaboratively as a group, along with key players in the city and local businesses, was key to our success in creating this report. We would like to thank Lin Erickson for her time and cooperation throughout the summer. We would also like to thank Easton Mayor Sal Panto, Rachel Hogan-Carr (Nurture Nature Center), Kate Semmens-Berti (Nurture Nature Center), Charles Elliott (Easton Planning Commission), Rep. Robert Freeman, Dan Sobrinski (WSP Group), Anna Smith (Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem), Dawn Hart (Easton Director of Economic Development), Tina Roseberry (Easton Director of Planning and Zoning), and Professors Mary Wilford-Hunt (Lafayette College), Karen Beck Pooley (Lehigh University), and Don Morris (Lehigh University) for their time and guidance. I would also like to thank the Environmental Initiative at Lehigh for making this project possible.
Major RecommendationsBuilding Systems- Conduct Green House Gas inventories, utilize efficient building strategies, and implement renewable energy systems- Minimize water use, while maximizing use of recycled gray water, filtered waste-water, and collected rainwater - Develop an effective recycling program and compost all food waste- Consider building scale, the accessibili-ty of green space, and use of low emitting materialsTransportation- Develop systems of alternative transpor-tation to mitigate increased vehicle traffic- Potential infrastructural investments in-clude implementation of a bike share pro-gram, electric vehicle charging stations, alleyway revitalization, wayfinding and signageFood- Serve organic, affordable, healthy, local food with nutrition facts in all food ser-vices
- Utilize reusable items, minimize pack-aging, and provide estimated carbon foot-prints of all menu itemsEducational Programs & Operations- Provide educational programming to teach environmental consciousness and encourage healthy activities - Be fully accessible to all- Strive to be symbiotic and collaborative with the local community and businesses- Hire locally- Consider sustainable supply chain man-agementConstruction- Cultivate sustainability in contractor re-lationships- Minimize air, noise, and light pollution from construction vehicles and site activ-ities- Be transparent and engage the local com-munity in the construction process and planning - Consider the life cycle impacts of con-struction related materials and processes
Intern-AuthorOlivia Barz, Lehigh University*Co-Authors:Ryan Dougherty, Lafayette CollegeHarris Eisenhardt, SUNY ESFAshley Kushner, Lafayette CollegeBrandy Moser, Boston University
ConstructionPlanning & Administration
Material sourcing and Disposal
Air, Noise, & Light Pollution
Community Impacts
Traffic
FoodProduction & Transportation
Relationship with Local Restaurants
Healthy Food Options
Waste & Packaging
Programs & Operations
Operations & Supply Chain
Community Implications
Education & Exhibits
Building SystemsWater & waste management
Building scale
Green space
Energy use
Air quality
TransportationTraffic and GHG Emissions
Alternative Transportation
Infrastructure
1. An analysis and discussion of cli-mate change impacts related to the project construction and operation.
a. Project authorities shall develop a projected greenhouse gas inven-tory, including expected emissions associated with all aspects of the development proposal.
2. Energy efficiency plan drafted and approved prior to construction, in-cluding possible use of renewable en-ergy, demonstrating stricter require-ments than those of ASHRAE 90.1 2016. 3. Environmental considerations be-yond code requirements.
a. Project authorities shall pro-duce a projection of local pollution threats associated with all stages of development, including innovative strategies for remediation and pre-vention.
4. A description of how any exhibits,
events and/or ticketed occasions will be focused on local topics.5. Human, environment and commu-nity health impacts projected for all stages of the development project. 6. Disclosure of expected commercial endorsements and anticipated local funding sources
a. Financing shall consider lo-cal funding and welfare a priority throughout the development time-line.
7. Analysis of conflicting or synergistic strategies in relation to easton’s com-prehensive plan.8. Resilience prioritized in planning and outlining of project timeline, high-lighting sustainability as a function of long term impacts. 9. Commitment to report on sustain-ability impacts annually, including a greenhouse gas inventory.
Requiring Sustainability Assessments in City Ordinances
Olivia Barz*
