Environmental impact design
Encyclopedia
The theory and practice of Environmental impact assessment
developed from the appreciation that development projects can have negative impacts - externalities
which harm the environment. This led to the enactment of the US National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969.
Environmental impact design is concerned with modifications to the design of development projects to achieve positive impacts - externalities
which benefit the environment and raise the stock of public goods. Examples of positive impacts include:
Environmental impact assessment
An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects....
developed from the appreciation that development projects can have negative impacts - externalities
Externality
In economics, an externality is a cost or benefit, not transmitted through prices, incurred by a party who did not agree to the action causing the cost or benefit...
which harm the environment. This led to the enactment of the US National Environmental Policy Act
National Environmental Policy Act
The National Environmental Policy Act is a United States environmental law that established a U.S. national policy promoting the enhancement of the environment and also established the President's Council on Environmental Quality ....
of 1969.
Environmental impact design is concerned with modifications to the design of development projects to achieve positive impacts - externalities
Externality
In economics, an externality is a cost or benefit, not transmitted through prices, incurred by a party who did not agree to the action causing the cost or benefit...
which benefit the environment and raise the stock of public goods. Examples of positive impacts include:
- Habitat creation as a result of afforestationAfforestationAfforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no forest. Reforestation is the reestablishment of forest cover, either naturally or artificially...
projects - Coastal managementCoastal managementIn some jurisdictions the terms sea defense and coastal protection are used to mean, respectively, defense against flooding and erosion...
projects which contribute to ecological and recreational objectives - flood defense projects which create greenwaysGreenway (landscape)A greenway is a long, narrow piece of land, often used for recreation and pedestrian and bicycle user traffic, and sometimes for streetcar, light rail or retail uses.- Terminology :...
- public open space projects which contribute to surface water management objectives
- bridge designs which enhance the landscape and contribute to non-transportation objectives