Springfield Linear Urban Forests

This initiative, awarded funding by Harvard University, involves designing tens of miles of linear urban forests for Springfield, Massachusetts, typically on one side of streets or in right of ways. The Harvard University Graduate School of Design is architecting the linear urban forest designs, and SSC is leading on a detailed mapping of costs and benefits of those designs. Major benefits of linear urban forests that will be quantified include reduced urban heat, better managed stormwater runoff, decreased energy bills, increased quality of life and walkability (leading to more exercise and potentially lower diabetes and obesity risks), reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and increased carbon sequestration.