Dreaming and Depaving | Katherine Rose | TEDxLacamas Lake | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Deep Pave uses innovative design and community engagement to transform underutilized paved areas into vibrant green spaces, addressing issues like stormwater runoff and the urban heat island effect.

Key Insights

• 👾 Before and after photos are impactful in showcasing the transformation of underutilized paved areas into vibrant green spaces.
• 🥵 Impervious surfaces like pavement contribute to issues such as stormwater runoff, pollution, and the urban heat island effect.
• 👾 Deep Pave engages communities in the design process, ensuring that the transformed spaces meet their needs and desires.
• 👳 Urban tree canopy in the US is declining, while impervious surfaces in cities are increasing.
• 😎 Deep Pave's projects have been shown to decrease land surface temperature, providing cooler environments for communities.
• 🧑‍🏭 Historical factors like redlining have contributed to the uneven distribution of impervious surfaces and social vulnerability in cities.
• 🥳 Deep Pave's outreach efforts, such as block parties and collaborations with local artists and businesses, help create engaging and well-known projects.

Transcript

everyone loves a before and after photo and at Deep paave those kinds of images are extremely impactful for telling the story of our work when I first heard about deep hav I felt this wave of reassurance wash over me like I think we could be okay I think quite possibly we as humans could undo some of the chaos that we have created here you see a be... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Deep Pave transform underutilized paved areas?

Deep Pave takes underutilized paved areas, like those in schools and neighborhoods, and reimagines them with elements such as permeable pavers, rain gardens, nature play areas, and interactive sculptures. This transforms the space into a verdant living area that people enjoy spending time in.

Q: What are the problems associated with impervious surfaces?

Impervious surfaces like pavement prevent water from being naturally absorbed into the ground, leading to issues like stormwater runoff and decreased water quality in rivers. Additionally, impervious surfaces contribute to the urban heat island effect, making cities significantly hotter than surrounding areas.

Q: How does Deep Pave address the urban heat island effect?

Deep Pave's projects, such as the one at Palb Elementary, have been shown to decrease land surface temperature by creating green spaces. These spaces provide cooler temperatures, making them more comfortable for students, teachers, and the community. The organization aims to combat the urban heat island effect by increasing green spaces in cities.

Q: How does Deep Pave engage with communities?

Deep Pave actively involves community members in the design process of its projects. Through surveys and collaboration, the organization seeks input from various stakeholders, including the cycling community, urban design planners, and local residents. This ensures that the transformed spaces meet the needs and desires of the community.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Deep Pave transforms underutilized paved areas into vibrant green spaces, creating before and after transformations that tell a powerful story.

• Impervious surfaces like pavement contribute to issues such as stormwater runoff and the urban heat island effect, which Deep Pave aims to combat.

• The organization collaborates with local communities, engaging them in the design process and creating living spaces that meet their needs.