Science, Faculty of
DSpace
University of British Columbia. Campus and Community Planning
University of British Columbia. Faculty of Science
University of British Columbia. Sustainability and Engineering
Fang, Eric
Li, Heather
Lin, Jessy
Painter, Ewan
Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”
UBC Vancouver Green Rainwater Infrastructure Mapping and Asset Management Prepared by: Eric Fang, Heather Li, Jessy Lin, and Ewan Painter Prepared for: UBC SEEDS and UBC Campus + Community Planning ENVR 400: Community Project in Environmental Science The University of British Columbia April 13th, 2025 i Cover Photo: UBC Brand and Marketing The Spruce / Nisanova Studio UBC Brand and Marketing i Practitioner Summary ii Author Bios ERIC FANG Eric is an Environmental Science major, with a concentration in Water, Land, and Air systems. From previous internships and projects, he has developed a strong understanding and passion for Geographic Information Systems and a deep appreciation for its role in environmental planning and analysis. His passion lies in using spatial data to tell compelling environmental stories and inform decision-making. HEATHER LI Heather is an Environmental Science major, specializing in Sustainability with background knowledge in ecohydrology. From her co-op work terms, she has gained experience in professional environments and developed organizational skills with reporting writing and formatting. She values this project as a great opportunity for her to learn more about green infrastructure and asset management. JESSY LIN Jessy is an Environmental Science major specializing in Ecology and Conservation. Through her previous work, volunteering, and other experiences, she has developed strong scientific writing and analytical skills. She is passionate about ecological research and is committed to advancing conservation efforts. EWAN PAINTER Ewan is a 4th year Environmental Science Major with an area of concentration in Ecology and Conservation. From work experience, he has learned to work in a professional and academic environment. From classes at UBC, he has learned an appreciation for the diverse ecology and wildlife of British Columbia and hopes to travel further to different parts of Canada to learn more of the nature and wildlife elsewhere. iii Contents Practitioner Summary ......................................................................... i Author Bios ......................................................................................... ii Eric fang.................................................................................................................................... ii Heather Li ................................................................................................................................. ii Jessy Lin ................................................................................................................................... ii Ewan Painter ............................................................................................................................ ii List of Figures .................................................................................... v List of Tables ..................................................................................... v Glossary ............................................................................................ vi Introduction ........................................................................................ 1 Research Topic ........................................................................................................................1 Research Relevance ................................................................................................................1 Project Context .........................................................................................................................1 Background ..............................................................................................................................1 Future Climate Impacts ............................................................................................................2 Project Study Site: UBC Vancouver Campus .........................................................................3 Project Purpose and Objectives ..............................................................................................3 Research Methodology and Methods ................................................ 4 ArcGIS Methodology ................................................................................................................4 Assessment of Services Methodology.....................................................................................6 Results .............................................................................................. 8 ArcGIS Map ..............................................................................................................................8 Assessment of GRI Core and Secondary Services ................................................................9 Discussion ....................................................................................... 12 ArcGIS Map ............................................................................................................................12 Asset Management ................................................................................................................12 Recommendations........................................................................... 14 Recommendations for Action .................................................................................................14 Recommendations for Future Research ...............................................................................15 Conclusion ....................................................................................... 15 Acknowledgements ......................................................................... 16 iv References ...................................................................................... 17 Appendices ...................................................................................... 19 APPENDIX A. Level of Service ..............................................................................................19 APPENDIX B. Current State of Assets ..................................................................................23 APPENDIX C. Condition Rating ............................................................................................32 v List of Figures Figure 1. Distribution of GRI types at UBC Vancouver 2 Figure 2. A map of UBC Vancouver, highlighting the 4 catchments and 33 GRI 3 Figure 3. A map of UBC Vancouver with GRI ID 4 Figure 4. Workflow Diagram for GRI Mapping and Attribute Configuration in ArcGIS. 5 Figure 5. A zoomed-out image from the final GIS map. 7 Figure 6. Pop-up associated with UBC’s Exchange Residence Green Roof, as displayed in the ArcGIS-based GRI map 8 Figure 7. Distribution of condition rating across 33 GRI around UBC campus. 11 Figure 8. A section of the bioswale on Main Mall 12 Figure 9. A photo of the green roof next to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum 13 List of Tables Table 1. Assigned GRI for data collection. GRI No. corresponds with Figure 3. 6 Table 2. Core services for infiltration channels 8 Table 3. Secondary services for infiltration channels 9 Table 4. The number of water pooling events per GRI type from January 30th, 2025 to March 3rd, 2025 9 vi Glossary • Bioswale: A type of GRI designed with a swale drainage course with gentle slopes to guide rainwater into the swales. • Detention Pond: An excavated area meant to temporarily hold rainwater to prevent flooding, runoff, and erosion. It also has vegetation to support infiltration. • French Drain: A trench filled with rock or gravel that redirects surface water away from an area • GIS: Geographic Information Services. • Gray Infrastructure: Traditionally engineered infrastructures like sewers, drains, gutters, and pipes • Green Rainwater Infrastructure (GRI): Infrastructure designed to manage rainwater runoff using vegetation, soil, and other practices to mimic natural hydrological processes. • Green Roof: A type of GRI that involves planting on the surface of a roof with vegetation and is designed to provide ecosystem services and manage rainwater runoff. • Infiltration Channel: A trench with aggregate fill, inlet structures, overflow systems, and vegetation cover to help mitigate flooding and rainwater runoff. • Rainfall Event: A period of rainfall. • Rain Garden: A type of GRI designed as gardens to collect, absorb, and clean rainwater runoff using natural processes. • Recirculation Channel: Filters out pollutants and recirculates the rainwater • University Neighbourhood Association (UNA): The association that operates facilities in UBC’s residential neighbourhoods and the owner of several GRI within the scope of this project 1 Introduction RESEARCH TOPIC This research project investigates the sustainability, performance, and management of Green Rainwater Infrastructure (GRI) on the UBC Vancouver campus. GRIs, which include bioswales, rain gardens, and green roofs, are evaluated for their effectiveness in stormwater mitigation, environmental benefits, and maintenance practices. The project identifies several current challenges, such as inconsistent maintenance and the absence of a centralized data system, while also exploring opportunities to strengthen stormwater resilience and improve landscape infrastructure. The research addresses both the fragmented management of existing GRI and an opportunity to advance nature-based urban planning solutions. RESEARCH RELEVANCE This study contributes to addressing the broader societal issue of climate resilience, especially in the face of urbanization and increased extreme rainfall events. By exploring nature-based solutions to stormwater management, the research offers valuable insights for municipalities and planners beyond UBC. On campus, the research supports sustainability and wellbeing objectives aligned with UBC’s Integrated Stormwater Management Plan and Campus Vision 2050 (UBC Campus + Community Planning, 2017; UBC Campus + Community Planning, 2024). It also offers practical benefits to stakeholders such as SEEDS, Campus + Community Planning (C+CP), UBC Facilities, and campus residents by promoting more effective GRI maintenance and increasing public understanding of sustainable water systems. The outcomes of the project have potential to enhance operational efficiency and the educational impact of GRI installations. PROJECT CONTEXT The project builds upon previous UBC research and initiatives, including the 2024 studies on rain garden performance near the Campus Energy Centre (Zhou et al., 2024). These earlier efforts highlighted several persistent issues: performance limitations of GRIs under future climate conditions, maintenance shortcomings, and inadequate community engagement. In response, both SEEDS and C + CP have emphasized the need for a centralized, accessible, and interactive mapping and management system for GRI on campus. This need has informed and motivated the current research project, situating it within an ongoing institutional effort to improve infrastructure planning and resilience. BACKGROUND Green rainwater infrastructures (GRI) are infrastructures designed to help mitigate rainwater runoff and remove pollutants. The GRI at UBC Vancouver includes green roofs, rain gardens, bioswales, infiltration channels, recirculation channels, detention ponds, stormwater ponds, and French drains (Figure 1). Green roofs are built on the surface of roofs with vegetation. Green roofs can be classified as either intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive. Intensive green roofs are heavy as it uses deep substrate and requires a lot of maintenance. Extensive green roofs require little maintenance and are designed to be self-sustaining over time. Semi-intensive green roofs are in between intensive and extensive (López-Silva et al., 2024). In addition to mitigating runoff, it also helps insulate buildings which can help reduce energy consumed by buildings which can help lower their emissions (López-Silva et al., 2022). Rain gardens are shallow ditch-like structures 2 in the ground filled with soil, vegetation, and a layer of mulch. They absorb rainwater runoff which recharges underground aquifers and enhances the health of the surrounding ecosystem by filtering out pathogens, nutrients, metals, and other organic pollutants from rainwater (Sharma & Malaviya, 2021). Bioswales are shallow drainage courses filled with vegetation and designed to maximize the time rainwater spends in the swale to help trap and breakdown pollutants and sediments (Xiao et al., 2017). Infiltration channels are trenches with inlet structures, overflow systems, and vegetation covers to help rainwater infiltrate. Recirculation channels are similar however, it helps to recirculate the rainwater instead of infiltrate. Detention ponds temporarily hold rainwater to control runoff and prevent flooding. Stormwater ponds are designed for permanent water storage. It is important to maintain and manage GRI regularly to ensure that they perform effectively in order to mitigate flooding on campus where tens of thousands of people live, learn, and work. This project aims to increase the efficiency of GRI management at UBC Vancouver and has identified challenges, including inconsistent maintenance and a lack of a centralized record system, while also highlighting opportunities to improve rainwater resilience and advance landscape practices. UBC SEEDS (Social Ecological Economic Development Studies) Sustainability Program and Campus + Community Planning (C + CP) have emphasized the need for a comprehensive, accessible, and interactive GRI map and management plan to better support infrastructure upkeep and decision-making. Figure 1. The distribution of the GRI types at on the UBC Vancouver campus. There are 7 green roofs, 13 rain gardens, 6 bioswales, 2 infiltration channels, 2 recirculation channels, 1 detention pond, 1 stormwater pond, and 1 French drain. FUTURE CLIMATE IMPACTS There has been an increase in severe rainwater events, such as atmospheric rivers, in the greater Vancouver area. These events are expected to increase as temperatures continue to rise as a result of climate change. This is a result of increased temperature in the air which increases the moisture content in the atmosphere and results in higher volumes of precipitation with unequal seasonal distribution (Jakob & Owen, 2021). 3 Gillett et al. (2022) have projected that the probability of extreme streamflow events in October to December has increased as a result of human activity by approximately 120-330%. Additionally, Prein et al. (2017) predicted that hourly precipitation will intensify in late fall and early winter by approximately 35% in Southwest Canada and an estimated increase in extreme precipitation at a rate approximately 7% per °C, varying on the region. Furthermore, urbanized areas can have an urban heat island effect which is a result of buildings and infrastructures absorb solar radiation and release more heat than the natural environment (Ronchi et al., 2002). This effect forms hot air flows over the city, which eventually forms precipitation and aggravates urban floods (Yang et al., 2021). It is imperative that UBC is prepared to face these challenges as they arise over the years as temperatures continue to rise and severe rainfall events are projected to increase in frequency. PROJECT STUDY SITE: UBC VANCOUVER CAMPUS The project site of this research is the UBC Vancouver campus, specifically the 33 GRIs scattered around the campus (Figure 2). The campus has 4 main rainwater catchments, North, South, West, and 16th Avenue and each catchment has a corresponding drain for the collected rainwater. The North catchment contains 21 GRIs, and the rainwater is drained by a spiral drain adjacent to the Museum of Anthropology. The South Catchment has 9 GRI and drains most of the area south of 16th Avenue and drains out at Booming Ground Creek. The West catchment has 3 GRI and drains out the stream at Trail 7. The 16th Avenue catchment does not contain any GRI and drains rainwater out the Botanical Garden Creek (UBC Campus + Community Planning, 2017). Figure 2. A map of the UBC Vancouver campus showing the GRI as well as the North, West, 16th Avenue, and South catchments and their rainwater outfall areas. The French drain is in navy blue, the bioswales are in sky blue, the rain gardens are in purple, the green roofs are in green, the recirculation channels are in yellow, the infiltration channels are in orange, the detention pond is striped in red, and the stormwater pond is in brown. PROJECT PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES This project centralizes information regarding each GRI at the UBC Vancouver campus and identifies gaps in GRI maintenance and management in order to improve maintenance efficiency and enhance educational value of the GRI features. Through this research, we answered the following questions: 4 • How effectively do existing GRIs at UBC perform during observed rainfall events from January to March 2025, specifically in their capacity to prevent water pooling and effectively manage runoff? • What are the existing gaps or issues affecting the current maintenance practices, centralized information management, and overall efficiency of GRIs on the UBC Vancouver campus? Research Methodology and Methods ARCGIS METHODOLOGY To create a centralized and accessible record of GRI installations, this project utilizes ArcGIS technology to develop an interactive map of the UBC Vancouver campus and surrounding university neighborhoods. The methodology is divided into three key phases: Data Acquisition The initial phase involved creating a base map of existing GRIs from SEEDS and C + CP and assigning a number to each GRI (Figure 3). The preliminary resources provided coordinates and catchment areas for the current GRI features. The field teams then conducted on-site visits to validate the data through direct observation and to assess the physical conditions of each installation. Additionally, during weekly site visits, particularly during or after rainfall events, data was collected on rainfall intensity, presence of pooling water, and visual signs of deterioration or blockage. 5 Figure 3. A map of UBC Vancouver highlighting the GRI and their assigned ID. French drains are in navy blue, bioswales are in sky blue, rain gardens are in magenta, green roofs are in green, recirculation channels are in yellow, infiltration channels are in orange, detention ponds are in red stripes, and stormwater ponds are in brown. Map Construction in ArcGIS To develop an interactive and informative spatial representation of GRI sites, compiled data were imported into ArcGIS Pro. Each GRI was digitized as a unique and individual polygon feature, representing the spatial reference of the system within the campus. A visual representation of the map making process can be found below (Figure 4). The polygons were then linked to a custom attribute table populated with site-specific metadata, including: • System type (e.g., bioswale, green roof, rain garden) • Description of the GRI • Design schematics (linked if available) • Installation date • Surface area and perimeter • Geospatial coordinates (longitude and latitude) • Photographic documentation (curated into linked site-specific photo album) • Monitoring log (linked) 6 Figure 4. Workflow Diagram for GRI Mapping and Attribute Configuration in ArcGIS. This flowchart illustrates the step-by-step process used to construct the interactive GRI map for UBC’s Vancouver campus using ArcGIS. The workflow begins by sourcing buildings outlines from the UBC Campus and Planning GitHub and customizing a basemap using ArcGIS vector Tile Editor. These inputs were merged to create the SEEDS 2025 Basemap, onto which 33 polygons were manually created to represent individual GRI features. Feature Categorization and Thematic Layering To enhance the visuals and interpretability, all GRI features were categorized by infrastructure type using standardized colours. Multiple map layers were constructed and organized into a layer toggle panel, allowing users to view GRIs by type or by installation year and overlay catchment boundaries. Additionally, custom legends and labelling were applied to maintain consistency and legibility across thematic layers. ASSESSMENT OF SERVICES METHODOLOGY Primary Data Collection The map provided by SEEDS was used as a base for data collection and ground-truthing (Figure 3). The 33 sites were split amongst each group member for ground-truthing and monitoring (Table 1). Table 1. Assigned GRI for data collection. GRI No. corresponds with Figure 3. 7 GRI No. GRI Type Assigned To GRI No. GRI Type Assigned To 1 Green Roof Eric 18 Bioswale Jessy 2 Green Roof Eric 19 Bioswale Jessy 3 Rain Garden Eric 20 Rain Garden Jessy 4 Rain Garden Eric 21 Rain Garden Heather 5 Rain Garden Eric 22 Infiltration Channel Jessy 6 Rain Garden Eric 23 Infiltration Channel Jessy 7 Green Roof Heather 24 Green Roof Ewan 8 Bioswale Heather 25 Green Roof Ewan 9 Rain Garden Heather 26 Recirculation Channel Ewan 10 Bioswale Heather 27 Stormwater Pond Ewan 11 Rain Garden Heather 28 Recirculation Channel Ewan 12 Bioswale Heather 29 Rain Garden Ewan 13 Rain Garden Heather 30 Rain Garden Ewan 14 Rain Garden Eric 31 French Drain Ewan 15 Rain Garden Jessy 32 Detention Pond Ewan 16 Green Roof Heather 33 Bioswale Heather 17 Green Roof Jessy Ground-truthing was requested because some GRI sites had not been visited by client for several years and their precise location had been not verified. Ground-truth coordinates of GRI were obtained but have not been implemented in the GIS map. Instead, coordinates were generalized to maximize visibility of GRI on the map. Monitoring and data collection consisted of looking for pooling water at sites, recording coordinates for ground-truthing, and taking pictures. Rainfall intensity data was requested from UBC meteorology to link to observed presence of pooling water. The first several months planned for data collection were incredibly dry and opportunities for data collection were limited. Snowfall additionally limited potential for data collection. As such, we adjusted the scope of data collection to include generalized site descriptions made during visits without rainfall. Secondary Data Collection The first part of the data collection was identifying any malfunction of GRI during rainfall events and noting any pooling water on site, connected to overflow of infiltration capacity of the GRI. We additionally generated a service matrix to standardize our analysis of the state of each GRI. Five categories were established for this matrix in consultation with SEEDS and clients and through literature review including methodology ascribed in the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition Asset Management Toolkit (Green Stormwater Infrastructure Asset Management Resources Toolkit, 2021). Careful attention was paid to this to build criteria relevant to the climate and ecology of British Columbia. The categories established includes “Level of Service”, “Current State of Assets”, “Long Term Funding”, and “Life Cycle Costing”. • Level of Service - This covers both ecological and human derived benefits from a site. Ecological benefits are categorized as “Core Services”. Human derived benefits are categorized as “Secondary Services”. Common ecological benefits across multiple types of GRI include water management, water purification, habitat provisioning, and groundwater recharge. Common human derived benefits 8 include accessibility of pathways, space for communal gathering, mental health benefits, and aesthetics of the space (Appendix A). • Current State of Assets - This includes a holistic site description and prominent features of each particular site. A generalized score is developed based on this site assessment, termed “Condition Rating”. This rating ranges from “Very Poor” to “Poor” to “Fair” to “Good” to “Very Good” with the specified criteria for each (Appendix C). Other items, such as ownership and year of construction are additionally noted here. • Long Term Funding - This serves as a strategy to document costs associated with types of GRI in time frames past the lifecycle of the GRI, typically in the range of 25-50 years. Initially, common management activities, such as removal of invasives or filter changes, can be ascribed to types of GRI to provide an estimate for funding that must be garnered and set aside to manage GRI. Documentation of management procedures as they occur can, in the long term, provide more accurate numbers for funding. • Life Cycle Costing – Life cycle costing deals with ascribing management practices to types of GRI, or specific GRI in special cases where more active management may be necessary. Notably, differentiating from Long Term Funding, this does not include management tasks associated with replacement of GRI at the end of its lifetime. As an example, a green roof typically has a lifespan of 25 years, after which vegetation and soil must be removed and eventually replaced such that filters and drains can be serviced. Results ARCGIS MAP The map is currently hosted on UBC’s ArcGIS Web map platform and is accessible to project collaborators and members and members of the UBC community with appropriate permissions. Depending on what SEEDS and clients wants to do in the future, the map can be viewable by the public. Figure 5. A zoomed-out image from the final GIS map. Bioswales are in blue, green roofs are in green, rain gardens are in purple, infiltration channels are in yellow, recirculation channels are in orange, French drains are in pink, the stormwater pond is in brown, and the detention pond is not in this figure. 9 Figure 6. This figure shows the interactive pop-up associated with UBC’s Exchange Residence Green Roof, as displayed in the ArcGIS-based GRI map. The pop-up includes a detailed description of the system’s design and environmental function, along with additional metadata such as the year of installation, GRI number, classification, latitude and longitude, area, perimeter, schematic hyperlink, monitoring log link, and photo hyperlink. ASSESSMENT OF GRI CORE AND SECONDARY SERVICES Detailed core and secondary services provided by each type of GRI are included in the appendix under section title “Level of Service” (Appendix A). Table 2. Core service matrix for Infiltration Channels. Core services refer to ecological benefits derived from the GRI. Core Services - Infiltration Channel 10 Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Rainwater Diversion Walkability of pathways during rainfall Percent rainfall diverted to channel Flood prevention Channel over/under capacity Lack of blockage and debris in channel Filtration of pollutants Water in channel does not appear murky Functionality of filters and health of vegetative buffer Table 3. Secondary service matrix for Infiltration Channels. Secondary Services - Infiltration Channel Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Aesthetics Benefits to mental health and satisfaction with architecture Landscape quality index and local feedback Recreational uses Supporting communal gathering Consistency of usage over time Measurement of Services Table 4. The number of water pooling events per GRI type from January 30th, 2025 to March 3rd, 2025. Data was collected once a week during rainfall events, over 5 separate days. GRI Type GRI Number Number of Water Pooling Events Total Number of Water Pooling Events Bioswale # 8: Buchanan Bioswale 2 6 # 10: Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre Bioswale 0 # 12: Main Mall Bioswale 3 # 18 Centre Interactive Research on Sustainability Bioswale 1 # 19 UBC Coal and Mineral Processing Laboratory Parking Lot Bioswale 0 Green Roof # 1: sɬewət̕ leləm̓ (Herring House) Green Roof #2: # 7: Rose Garden Green Roof # 16: Beaty Biodiversity Museum Green Roof # 17: Centre Interactive Research on Sustainability # 24: Granite Terrace Green Roof # 25: Tapestry North Green Roof 0 0 11 Rain Garden # 3: Walter Gage Student Residence Rain Garden 0 5 #4: 0 #5: 0 #6: 0 #9: Frederic Lasserre Building Rain Garden 0 # 11: Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre 1 # 13: Geography Building 1 #14: 0 # 15 Frank Forward Building Rain Garden 0 # 20: Campus Energy Center Rain Garden 0 #21: 1 # 29: Wesbrook Apartments Rain Garden 1 #30: Birney Ave Rain Garden 1 Infiltration Channel # 22 Eagles Park Infiltration Channel # 23 Hawthorn Park Infiltration Channel 0 0 Recirculation Channel #26: Wesbrook East Recirculation Channel #28: Wesbrook West Recirculation 0 0 Stormwater Pond #27: Michael Smith Park Stormwater Pond 0 0 Detention Pond #32: Detention Pond 0 0 French Drain #31: 16th Ave French Drain 0 0 Condition rating Each GRI was scored according to the condition rating criteria (Appendix C). The distribution of the results are summarized in Figure 5. GRI #4, 24, and 25 are listed as NA as they were inaccessible. Figure 7. Distribution of condition rating across 33 GRI around UBC campus. 12 Discussion ARCGIS MAP In discussion with SEEDS and client, as well as Paul Young (UBC Properties Trust Director, Planning & Design), Wegland Sit (UNA Operations Manager), and Dean Gregory (UBC Municipal Landscape Architect), we highlighted a primary need to centralize information in a way that facilitates easy communication between design, installment, and maintenance of green rainwater infrastructure. Much of the history and nuance of GRI is captured only in the experience and memory of these experts without a formalized mechanism to collect this experience and inform future development and management of GRI. SEEDS initially flagged inclusion of schematics and design notes pertaining to UBC GRI as a key function for the GIS map. Conversations with experts reinforced the importance and usefulness of this feature. Presently, around 25% of the 33 GRI on campus have some schematics included in the GIS map. Some of these were provided by SEEDS at the beginning of the project and some were found via UBC blog posts. In discussions with Dean Gregory, it was suggested that Records Management at UBC may hold a more complete set of schematics. They were initially unable to assist with this project and cited concerns over the potential for public access to these schematics for GRI. Subsequent follow-ups reiterating that the GIS map will be made for and only be accessible by SEEDS have not found a response as of yet. Similarly, maintenance logs were not available to be included within the GIS map. Comprehensive costs associated with past management activities were not available. Accordingly, in the “Life Cycle Costing” section of the Asset Management plan, costs have been sourced from literature and especially considering analysis done by the City of Vancouver. Some GRI were not accessible during the project. The rain garden outside the Student Recreation Centre, shown as asset #4 in Figure 1, was not accessible due to renovation of the building. It is assumed for the GIS map that this rain garden will remain after construction. Two green roofs (asset #24 and 25) are located within private apartment housing within UNA. These green roofs were never visited for data collection. ASSET MANAGEMENT Only rain gardens and bioswales exhibited water pooling, though even in these GRI types, pooling was infrequent. Water pooling indicates a decrease in infiltration performance and may suggest issues such as soil compaction, or insufficient storage capacity in GRI systems. Water pooling may inhibit accessibility of pathways and cause runoff across impervious services, depositing sediment in vegetation (Davis & McCuen, 2005). Strong integration with large, catchment-level gray infrastructure helps to capture excess rainwater beyond the infiltration capacity of the lawn. The main mall bioswale (Figure 8), for instance, implements drains intermittently spread across each segment of the lawn to increase infiltration capacity of the system. The actual depression gradient of the bioswale is rather shallow. The amount of green space on campus (even beyond GRI) and the connectivity of these spaces also contributes to vegetative and soil health even without a coordinated management plan specific to GRI. 13 These same mechanisms likely explain the frequency of high condition ratings across the board. Sites ranked “Good” or “Fair” typically reflect lower biodiversity sites without clear service issues. Sites ranked “Poor” lack vegetative cover or have been taken over by invasive species. Lack of water pooling in some sites is not necessarily an indication of proper performance. Recirculation channels and stormwater ponds, for instance, are aquatic features that inherently do not allow water pooling. For infiltration channels, the layer of rock and gravel above the soil is intended to create pooling water during heavy rainfall that slowly seeps through this gravel layer into the soil. Green roofs, on the other hand, did not show any water pooling despite the potential for it. This may be the result of higher management care due to the high criticality of these GRI or higher infiltration capacity due to improved drainage compared to bioswales and rain gardens. Individual site assessments highlighted other potential mechanisms that could be useful indicators for performance where pooling water is not applicable. For recirculation channels and stormwater ponds, deposition of detritus or algal growth in the water periodically blocks flow or disrupts filters. For infiltration channels, blockage of the terminal filter can be monitored. The apparatus of the French drain lies below the ground and monitoring for this specific GRI is not possible without specialized instruments. Figure 8. A section of the bioswale on Main Mall. 14 Management of GRI at UBC follows the same procedures as generalized vegetative areas. In preparation for snowfall, several larger GRI were extensively trimmed, including the drainage channel leading from the Beaty Biodiversity Museum green roof (Figure 9). This trimming serves no ecological purpose. In fact, fast-growing invasives may gain a foothold as these plots regenerate. Figure 9. Beaty green roof, showing trimming of wetland vegetation in drainage channel on left. Recommendations These recommendations aim to inform planning and practices in order to increase the performance of GRI at the UBC Vancouver campus. Future research recommendations are included to find ways to quantitatively analyze the performance of existing GRI to better inform maintenance practices. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION Immediate Action • Remove weeds and invasive plants from GRI o This is important since weeds can outcompete the desired vegetation that can best help with mitigating rainwater runoff. o Areas that are most at risk for weed proliferation and therefore need the most attention are the GRI with only understory planting since they receive more sunlight which allows for rapid weed growth (Mullaly, 2019). o Responsible party: UBC Facilities o Timeline: Once a year Mid-term Action • Establish a centralized maintenance log for all GRI across UBC • Gather all the maintenance/monitoring logs for each GRI if there are any • Create a standardized maintenance log so that C + CP are up to date about the status of each GRI. • Responsible party: UNA, UBC Facilities, and UPT 15 • Timeline: Gather documents over the next couple of months, then create a standardized maintenance log. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH Performance • Analyze the infiltration rate and performance of GRI that experienced water pooling during rainfall events such as the bioswale along Main Mall. • This is to ensure that UBC remains prepared for increased severe rainfall events and to minimize the possibly of flooding. • Timeline: Begin planning over the summer, begin data collection in the fall during heavy rainfall event season (October to December). Species Analysis • Identify the species currently at each GRI and compare them to the species originally planted to check for invasive species that could impact the performance of the GRI. • This is important since different species have different water uptake rates; therefore, some species are better than others for increasing infiltration. Additionally, invasive species can harm the surrounding environment and overtake the important species. • Timeline: Preliminary research to begin within the next year. Conclusion The main objective of this study was to evaluate and enhance the functionality and management efficiency of Green Rainwater Infrastructure (GRI) at UBC's Vancouver campus. Some examples of enhancements include real-time monitoring systems for rainfall, runoff, and water quality, as well as increased optimizing GRI layout using GIS to ensure that they are strategically placed in areas most at risk for flooding. Our research methodology combined on-site observations and qualitative assessments of 33 GRI sites with the development of an interactive GIS map to support campus rainwater management and infrastructure maintenance. Our findings indicate that most GRIs perform effectively under typical rainfall conditions. While some bioswales and rain gardens exhibited occasional water pooling, it's important to note that these systems are specifically designed to manage frequent, small-to-moderate storm events rather than extreme rainfall occurrences. The observed pooling during infrequent, high-intensity precipitation events therefore represents expected performance parameters rather than system failures. These observations do highlight opportunities for improving maintenance protocols and implementing a centralized information management platform. This study offers three key contributions: • Data and Visualization Tools: A campus-wide GIS map that supports sustainable rainwater infrastructure planning and maintenance. • Operational Recommendations: Targeted strategies such as enhanced inspection protocols and a centralized digital maintenance log to optimize GRI upkeep. • Transferable Management Framework: A standardized GRI evaluation method and best practice guide that can inform future implementations. 16 While the study's findings are robust, we acknowledge certain limitations including constrained observation periods and incomplete historical maintenance records. These limitations not only highlight the need for more comprehensive data collection systems but also present valuable opportunities for future research directions, particularly in long-term performance monitoring and climate-resilient GRI design. This research successfully achieved its objectives by providing both a detailed assessment of current GRI performance and practical tools for infrastructure management. The findings contribute significantly to our understanding of sustainable water management in campus environments while establishing a foundation for continued improvements in infrastructure resilience and operational efficiency. Acknowledgements We would like to extent our heartfelt gratitude to community partners, Georgia Stanley, Jake Li and Jeremy Karkanis from UBC Campus and Community Planning for their help and guidance. We are also thankful to Dean Gregory, Wegland Sit, and Paul Young for their expertise. Furthermore, we extend a final thank you to the ENVR 400 teaching team, Dr. Tara Ivanchko, Dr. Michael Lipsen, and Brooke Hoppstock-Mattson, for their help along the way. 17 References Davis, A. P., & McCuen, R. H. (2005). Stormwater Management for smart growth. Springer. Gillett, N. P., Cannon, A. J., Malinina, E., Schnorbus, M., Anslow, F., Sun, Q., Kirchmeier-Young, M., Zwiers, F., Seiler, C., Zhang, X., Flato, G., Wan, H., Li, G., & Castellan, A. (2022). Human influence on the 2021 British Columbia floods. Weather and Climate Extremes, 36, 100441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2022.100441 Green Stormwater Infrastructure Asset Management Resources Toolkit. (2021). Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition. https://greeninfrastructureontario.org/app/uploads/2022/01/GSI-AM-Resources-Toolkit-Final-Dec-17.pdf Jakob, M., & Owen, T. (2021). Projected effects of climate change on shallow landslides, North Shore Mountains, Vancouver, Canada. Geomorphology, 393, 107921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2021.107921 Mullaly, J. (2019). Chapter 22—WSUD Asset Management Operation and Maintenance. In A. K. Sharma, T. Gardner, & D. Begbie (Eds.), Approaches to Water Sensitive Urban Design (pp. 455–474). Woodhead Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812843-5.00022-8 Prein, A. F., Rasmussen, R. M., Ikeda, K., Liu, C., Clark, M. P., & Holland, G. J. (2017). The future intensification of hourly precipitation extremes. Nature Climate Change, 7(1), 48–52. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate3168 Ronchi, S., Salata, S., & Arcidiacono, A. (2020). Which urban design parameters provide climate-proof cities? An application of the Urban Cooling InVEST Model in the city of Milan comparing historical planning morphologies. Sustainable Cities and Society, 63, 102459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2020.102459 Sharma, R., & Malaviya, P. (2021). Management of stormwater pollution using green infrastructure: The role of rain gardens. WIREs Water, 8(2), e1507. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1507 UBC Campus + Community Planning. (2017). UBC Vancouver Campus Integrated Stormwater Management Plan. The University of British Columbia. https://planning.ubc.ca/sustainability/sustainability-action-plans/integrated-stormwatermanagement-plan 18 UBC Campus + Community Planning (2024). Campus Vision 2050: Shaping the Future of UBC Vancouver. The University of British Columbia. https://planning.ubc.ca/vision Xiao, Q., McPherson, E. G., Zhang, Q., Ge, X., & Dahlgren, R. (2017). Performance of Two Bioswales on Urban Runoff Management. Infrastructures, 2(4), 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures2040012 Yang, Q., Zheng, X., Jin, L., Lei, X., Shao, B., & Chen, Y. (2021). Research Progress of Urban Floods under Climate Change and Urbanization: A Scientometric Analysis. Buildings, 11(12), Article 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11120628 Zhou, J., Wang, L., Ferdous, N., & Huang, S. (2024, April 24). Rain Down the Drain : UBC Vancouver Green Rainwater Infrastructure Performance Monitoring and Future Weather Event Modelling [R]. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0442342 19 Appendices APPENDIX A. LEVEL OF SERVICE Green Roof Core Services - Green Roof Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Reduce rainwater runoff Percentage of pedestrians satisfied with the performance Volume of runoff diverted from walking paths Filter out pollutants Vegetative health in and around area Percentage of target pollutants removed Restore and recharge the groundwater system Vegetative health after dry period Percentage of water that infiltrates the soil Secondary Services - Green Roof Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Habitat provisioning Local biodiversity Immigration of new species over time Aesthetics Benefits to mental health and satisfaction with architecture Landscape quality index and local feedback Recreational uses Supporting communal gathering Consistency of usage over time Rain Garden Core Services - Rain Garden Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Reduce rainwater runoff Percentage of pedestrians satisfied with the performance Volume of runoff diverted from walking paths Filter out pollutants Clearness of water Percentage of target pollutants removed Restore and recharge the groundwater system Greenery of surrounding vegetation Percentage of water that infiltrates the soil 20 Secondary Services - Rain Garden Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Increase biodiversity Visible health and greenery through enhanced ecosystem function Number of new plant or animal species (native) Aesthetically pleasing Percent of residents, students, and faculty satisfied with the appearance of the garden Percentage of weed cover Frequency of trash removal Bioswale Core Services - Bioswale Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Directs rainwater into swales Usability of surrounding paths Pooling water Reduce flooding Usability of surrounding paths Pooling water Recharge aquifers Health of vegetation Temporal stability of plant community in dry conditions Secondary Services - Bioswale Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Aesthetics Frequency of use of surrounding spaces Vegetative health Infiltration Channel Core Services - Infiltration Channel Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Rainwater Diversion Walkability of pathways during rainfall Percent rainfall diverted to channel Flood prevention Channel over/under capacity Lack of blockage and debris in channel 21 Filtration of pollutants Water in channel does not appear murky Functionality of filters and health of vegetative buffer Secondary Services - Infiltration Channel Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Aesthetics Benefits to mental health and satisfaction with architecture Landscape quality index and local feedback Recreational uses Supporting communal gathering Consistency of usage over time Recirculation Channel Core Services - Recirculation Channel Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Rainwater diversion Usability of pathways Flow rate in channel Secondary Services - Recirculation Channel Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Aesthetics Benefits to mental health and satisfaction with installation Landscape quality index and local feedback Recreational uses Communal gathering, walking, cycling Usage over time Detention Pond Core Services - Detention Pond Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Flood control Percent of residents satisfied with Detention pond installation Percentage reduction in flood incidents or flood damage in the service area Erosion control Reduction in costs associated with repairing erosion damage Percentage reduction in soil erosion rates in the service area 22 Water quality improvement Decrease in water quality-related complaints from residents or businesses Pollutants removed by the detention pond Secondary Services - Detention Pond Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Recreational Value More park visitors Maintenance frequency of recreational features Habitat Creation More biodiversity Health and coverage of vegetation Community Safety Less complaints about community safety System reliability during storm events Stormwater Pond Core Services - Stormwater Pond Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Stormwater management Percent of residents satisfied with stormwater pond installation Rate of water discharged downstream Stormwater pond is managed in cost-effcetive way Average maintenance cost per square meter of stormwater pond Stormwater pond maintenance completed on schedule Clean receiving water Number of fish species present in the water body Percent of the community with sufficient stormwater quality control Secondary Services - Stormwater Pond Service Attributes that Matter to Customers or Elected Leaders External LoS Performance Indicator Internal LoS Performance Indicator Improve biodiversity More visitors in this area Percent of features of native species Aesthetics Area of stormwater pond that are naturalized Average median age of stormwater pond 23 APPENDIX B. CURRENT STATE OF ASSETS Field Description Site Description Situated between Herring House and Walter Gage Residence, the green roof features culturally significant plants to the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. These plants include Western Red Cedar, Kinnikinnick, Sword Fern, and Salal. Asset ID # 1: sɬewət̕ leləm̓ (Herring House) Green Roof Classification Green Roof Location 1945 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Size 3593 m2 Year Installed 2022 Ownership UBC Management responsibility UBC Student Housing and Community Services Unit replacement cost Depending on soil depth, replacement costs can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Total: ~ $580,120.95 Replacement value Helps manage stormwater, improve air quality, reduce urban heat, and support biodiversity Expected useful life 30-50 years if maintenance is continued Remaining useful life Approximately 47 years with maintenance Condition rating Very good Field Description Site Description Sitting atop the Rose Garden Parkade, with an elevated view of the Pacific Ocean and North Shore Mountains, the public garden features over 4,500 rose bushes of 400 different varieties. The roses bloom from June to September. Asset ID # 7: Rose Garden Green Roof Classification Green Roof Location 6301 Crescent Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2 24 Size 837 m2 Year installed 1994 Ownership UBC Management responsibility • UBC Campus and Community Planning • UBC Municipal Landscape Services: Responsible for ensuring that the Rose Garden is adhering to the sustainable landscape management practices Unit replacement cost Depending on soil depth, replacement costs can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Total: ~ $135,140.85 Replacement value • Serves as a peaceful retreat for students, faculty, and visitors, reducing stress and promoting mental well-being • Frequently used for social interactions Expected useful life 30-50 years if maintenance is continued Remaining useful life Approximately 9 years left Condition rating Very Good Field Description Site Description The rain garden consists of two main sections, one next to the EOS building and the other next to the Frank Forward Building. Plants in the rain garden will need to be pruned regularly to ensure that they maintain their normal function. Asset ID # 15: Frank Forward Building Rain Garden Classification Rain Garden Location 6339 Stores Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Size 22m2 Year installed 2022 Ownership UBC Properties Trust Management responsibility UBC Campus & Community Planning Unit replacement cost Depending on soil depth, replacement costs can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Total: ~ $396 25 Replacement value Temporarily store rainwater to relieve pressure on drainage systems during heavy rains, filter pollutants, and reduce urban heat island effects Expected useful life 10-30 years if maintenance is continued Remaining useful life Approximately 27 years of useful life Condition rating Very good Field Description Site Description Situated at the ground level above the underground museum, it features a central meadow composed of various BC native grasses and herbal plants. Asset ID # 16: Beaty Biodiversity Museum Green Roof Classification Green Roof Location Vancouver Campus, 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Size 1698 m2 Year installed 2009 Ownership UBC Properties Trust Management responsibility UBC Building Operations and a volunteer from the Beaty Biodiversity Museum Unit replacement cost Depending on soil depth, replacement costs can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Total: ~ $274,156.8 Replacement value • Green roofs provide natural insulation, reducing heating and cooling costs over time. • This green roof is frequented by researchers, visitors, and students who utilize it for passive activities such as eating and relaxing Expected useful life 30-50 years if maintenance is continued Remaining useful life Approximately 24 years of useful life Condition rating Very good Field Description Site Description Was once planted with local (now overgrown with unknown plants, shrubs, weeds, etc.), well-adapted native species, which covered the 26 auditorium structure below it. The Green roof was also formed in a courtyard-like garden for the offices that overlook it. Asset ID # 17: Centre Interactive Research on Sustainability Classification Green Roof Location 2260 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Size 91 m2 Year installed 2011 Ownership UBC Properties Trust Management responsibility UBC Building Operations Unit replacement cost Depending on soil depth, replacement costs can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Replacement value Green roofs provide natural insulation, reducing heating and cooling costs over time. Expected useful life If well maintained the green roof could last around 40-50 years Remaining useful life Approximately 31 years of useful life but judging by accelerated deteriorated state, a more accurate approximation would be <15 years. Condition rating Poor Field Description Site Description This bioswale is a shallow, vegetated channel near the CIRS building. The plants and rocks help remove sediments and pollutants before the water percolates into the ground or flows to nearby drainage. Asset ID # 18: Centre Interactive Research on Sustainability Bioswale Classification Bioswale Location 2260 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Size 172 m2 Year Installed 2011 Ownership UBC Properties Trust Management responsibility UBC Properties Trust 27 Unit replacement cost Depending on soil depth, replacement costs can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Total: ~ $2580 Replacement value • Slow down the flow of rainwater, relieve the pressure on urban drainage systems, and reduce the risk of urban waterlogging. • Provide habitats for insects and birds, and promote the recovery of urban ecosystems. Expected useful life 20-50 years if maintenance is continued Remaining useful life Approximately 36 years of useful life Condition rating Good Field Description Site Description The green roof consists of low-maintenance plants such as grasses, sedum, and other resilient species well-suited to Vancouver’s climate. Note: GRI Asset IDs 24 and 25 are on private property and were not visited on site for data collection. Asset ID # 24: Granite Terrace Green Roof Location 3233 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6S 0B4 Size 674 m2 Year installed 2009 Ownership UBC Properties Trust Management responsibility Wesbrook Properties Unit replacement cost Depending on soil depth, replacement costs can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Replacement value Green roofs provide natural insulation, reducing heating and cooling costs over time. Expected useful life If well maintained the green roof could last around 40-50 years Remaining useful life Approximately 29 years of useful life Condition rating NA Field Description 28 Site Description The green roof covers over 50% of the building's roof area. This green roof requires minimal maintenance while enhancing energy efficiency and reducing rainwater runoff. Includes a garden terrace, providing residents with outdoor spaces for relaxation and socialization. Note: GRI Asset IDs 24 and 25 are on private property and were not visited on site for data collection. Asset ID # 25: Tapestry North Green Roof Location 3382 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6S 2L2 Size 2393 m2 Year installed 2010 Ownership Seasons Retirement Communities • Previously owned by Concept Properties and managed by Origin Active Lifestyle Communities Management responsibility Seasons Retirement Communities Unit replacement cost Depending on soil depth, replacement costs can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Total: ~ $386,370 Replacement value Provides residents with outdoor spaces for relaxation and socialization. Expected useful life 30-50 years if maintenance is continued Remaining useful life Approximately 15 years with maintenance Condition rating NA Field Description Site Description This recirculation channel snakes through the University Neighborhoods between Burton and Gray Avenues, eventually feeding into the stormwater pond in Michael Smith Park. The channel collects runoff from parallel pathways and periodically experiences blockages from detritus entering the channel. A long-standing blockage of dirt and sediment stops water from the recirculation channel from dispensing into the stormwater pond except for during heavy rainfall events, when the channel reaches a higher water level. There is no risk of spillover from the channel onto walkways during heavy rainfall. Asset ID # 26: Wesbrook East Recirculation Channel 29 Location 3382 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6S 2L2 Size 778 m2 Year installed 2005 Ownership UBC Properties Trust Management responsibility UNA Unit replacement cost Masonry of channel roughly equates to $80-200/square meter. Average cost: ~ $108,920 Replacement value Provides residents with outdoor spaces for relaxation and socialization. Expected useful life 50 years Remaining useful life 30 years Condition rating Very good Field Description Site Description This stormwater pond situated within Michael Smith Park in the University Neighbourhoods collects runoff from the park as well as water dispensed from a recirculation channel (Asset ID 26). The pond serves to recharge groundwater during dry spells, through a thin filter installed at the bottom of the pond, which helps to keep the park green. Algae periodically block filters as well as fountain elements of the pond. Asset ID # 27: Michael Smith Park Stormwater Pond Location 3382 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6S 2L2 Size 2154 m2 Year installed 2004 Ownership UBC Properties Trust Management responsibility UNA Unit replacement cost Calculation assumes concrete lining. This GRI has some specialized functionality that is more difficult to find effective comps for. Total: ~ $179,475 Replacement value Provides residents with outdoor spaces for relaxation and socialization. Expected useful life 50 years if maintenance is continued 30 Remaining useful life Approximately 29 years Condition rating Very good Field Description Site Description This recirculation channel connects larger water features in the University Neighbourhoods and collects runoff from pathways. The channel adds aesthetic value to the surrounding area and a vegetative buffer separates much of the channel from these walkways. The channel ultimately feeds into Mundell Park. Asset ID # 28: Wesbrook West Recirculation Channel Location 3382 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6S 2L2 Size 10842 m2 Year installed 2005 Ownership UBC Properties Trust Management responsibility UNA Unit replacement cost Depending on soil depth, replacement costs can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Total: ~ $1517880 Replacement value Provides residents with outdoor spaces for relaxation and socialization. Expected useful life 50 years Remaining useful life 30 years Condition rating Very good Field Description Site Description Rain garden situated in courtyard of apartment complex in Wesbrook Place. Serves primarily as a communal space with water feature, buffer vegetation, and several benches. Asset ID # 29: Wesbrook Apartments Rain Garden Location 3479 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6S 2L2 Size 389 m2 Year installed 2011 31 Ownership UBC Properties Trust Management responsibility UNA Unit replacement cost Depending on soil depth, replacement costs can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Total: ~ $5835 Replacement value Provides residents with outdoor spaces for relaxation and socialization. Expected useful life 30 years Remaining useful life 16 years Condition rating Very good Field Description Site Description Rain garden situated within courtyard of apartment complex in Wesbrook place. Water recirculation within water feature. Buffer zone around the water feature serves as the rain garden. Primarily serves as aesthetic feature for the apartment complex. Asset ID # 30: Birney Ave Rain Garden Location 5928 Birney Ave, Vancouver, BC V6S 2L2 Size 629 m2 Year installed 2010 Ownership UBC Properties Trust Management responsibility UNA Unit replacement cost Depending on soil depth, replacement costs can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Total: ~ $9435 Replacement value Provides residents with outdoor spaces for relaxation and socialization. Expected useful life 30 years Remaining useful life 15 years Condition rating Very good 32 APPENDIX C. CONDITION RATING Rating Water management Vegetation health Structural integrity Management Action Very good Water is accurately diverted to reservoirs and surrounding areas are usable. Vegetation is healthy, high local biodiversity and habitat provisioning. High integrity in all conditions. None needed. Good Water is diverted but may overflow reservoirs in particularly high rainfall intensity. Region is healthy and relatively diverse. Sound integrity in most conditions. None needed. Fair Rainwater is mostly diverted and may occasionally disrupt use of surrounding space. No factors that would deter growth, but low levels of diversity. Sound integrity in normal conditions. Periodic monitoring of site, baseline management by type of GRI. Poor Water is not often diverted but the impact on surrounding spaces is not large. Signs of poor conditions for growth, presence of invasives. Integrity is maintained in optimal condition. Baseline management should be carried out quickly. Establish frequent monitoring to ensure revival of services. Very poor Water frequently disrupts use of surrounding space. Lack of vegetation or domination of invasives. Low integrity with minimal external pressure. Active restoration and deliberate removal of negative externalities is necessary by management teams. Activities must be designated according to specific sites.
Report
eng
Unreviewed
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Undergraduate
UBC Social Ecological Economic Development Studies (SEEDS) Student Report
University of British Columbia. ENVR_V 400
Biodiversity
Buildings
Climate
Land
Water
UBC Vancouver Green Rainwater Infrastructure Mapping and Asset Management
Text