Pennsylvania Environmental Council - Western Region
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Natural Infrastructure

Natural Infrastructure (NI) is a project of the Tides Center and a partnership among the
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, PA Department of Conservation & Natural
Resources, The Heinz Endowments, and PEC.

It has developed a GIS-based planning framework to better integrate
natural infrastrucutre values with local and regional planning efforts.

NI is broken down into three reports:

1. Case Studies

Overview
By definition, infrastructure is a basic system of support. Grey infrastructure,
a common term in planning and development, includes engineered and built
systems such as schools, transportation, utilities, sewage treatment, and
water facilities. Similarly, Natural Infrastructure supports human, economic
and emotional needs – from water supply, to coal production, to recreation, to
our aesthetic sense of place. Southwestern Pennsylvanians can develop a competitive
advantage for enhancing their physical and economic success through the thoughtful and
strategic use of their natural environment. The purpose of the Natural Infrastructure
Project’s Regional Case Studies report is two-fold:
• To examine and understand the relationship between the economic
characteristics and natural infrastructure within regions throughout North America; and
• To obtain knowledge and insights about natural infrastructure and to
establish a competitive advantage for Southwestern Pennsylvania.

2. Atlas

Overview
The Natural Infrastructure Atlas (NI Atlas) documents the natural infrastructure of the
Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Natural infrastructure supports human,
economic and emotional needs – from water supply, to coal production, to
recreation, to our aesthetic sense of space. The NI Atlas presents a series of maps
and detailed descriptions of the region’s natural infrastructure. The NI Atlas is a
comprehensive inventory that provides information with which to make informed
decisions regarding the significance and use of the region’s natural resources.

3. Framework

Overview
Natural infrastructure supports human economic and emotional needs – from
water supply, to coal production, to recreation, to our aesthetic sense of
place. A Natural Infrastructure (NI) Framework is an integrated planning
approach that can be applied to optimize the use of these resources. An
NI Framework is a flexible and scaleable tool that can be customized based
on its intended purpose, the availability of data and the character of an area.
In some cases, the use of different natural resources conflict with one
another. Additionally, not all natural resources are equal in character,
abundance, resiliency, or economic value. As part of an NI Framework, each
natural resource can be individually evaluated and valued based on its
particular distinctions and conflicts with other natural resources.

Contact: Davitt Woodwell - Pittsburgh Office