The Ruston Way waterfront has seen many changes during the course of my lifetime alone, from the demolition of the Asarco copper smelter to the current and ongoing construction of Point Ruston, the area looks very different than it did in 1989. It is not just the Point Ruston area of Ruston Way that is changing; the entire waterfront has been continually developed upon for a number of years, but has this development been sustainable? Or are these improvements just a ploy to expand upon brand new luxury housing and capitalize off of an already affluent neighborhood? Do these changes improve upon serious ecological issues caused by the Asarco copper smelter and other port activities, or are they just creating the illusion of cleanliness to attract new residents with large bank accounts?
Development on the Ruston Way waterfront will be sustainable if creating and implementing a Green Infrastructure is made a high priority by planners and city officials. Additionally, a sustainable community is made up of more than simply environmental components, but social and economic components as well. If having Green Infrastructure is made a priority, then by default choices made by developers of the area will continue along the sustainability path so long as they continue to place Green Infrastructure as a top priority. As we have learned throughout the quarter, many terms that we often use are very loosely defined; this can make things a little confusing. For the purposes of this essay, I will define the term sustainable development with the classic Brundtland Commission definition, which is, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Our common future, 1987, p. 8).
But what is a Green Infrastructure anyway? It “…is a planned and managed network of natural environmental components. The main objective of green infrastructure is to establish a healthy green edge to a waterfront or riverside area by increasing waterfront access and diversifying transport options, combined with developing a sustainable storm water management initiative. The integration of soft infrastructure such as shrubbery and trees along the greenway creates a pedestrian-friendly path and an attractive public space whilst also reduce the risk of storm overflow, regulating city temperatures and cleaning the air.” (Hussein, 2014, p. 489) So where does Ruston Way fit into this definition? The area has definitely been planned, there is a man made green edge to the waterfront itself. There are many areas to park vehicles, bicycles, and motorcycles. There is a bus route along the waterfront however it is seasonal and does not run year round. There is a lengthy, well-maintained pedestrian walkway that spans the length of the waterfront, while it is speckled with trees and other shrubs, the area could use better storm water run off management systems. These factors all contribute to a successful Green Infrastructure.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that, “these types of approaches, known as green infrastructure, are an integral component of sustainable communities primarily because they can help communities protect the environment and human health while providing other social and economic benefits, allowing communities to achieve more for their money. Using green infrastructure strategies to reduce storm water runoff can strengthen efforts to preserve open space and natural areas and encourage development in existing communities. Green infrastructure elements help make neighborhood streets and greenways pleasant and safe for walking and biking and reinforce a sense of place. Integrating green infrastructure and sustainable communities encourages collaboration in development decisions and promotes green building practices.” (Kramer, M, 2014) This sounds a lot like the Ruston Way that we know today. It is also reminiscent of the ideas presented in Revitalizing Urban Waterfronts: Identifying Indicators for Human Well-Being, which coincidentally discusses the other end of the Ruston Way waterfront, the Thea Foss Waterway development. The authors discuss what they call, the Human Well-Being (HWB) framework for urban waterfront revitalization projects. Most, if not all of the indicators of HWB are also found within the EPA’s view of green infrastructure.
Additionally, a cap was placed over the former copper smelter site; this cap is a permanent fixture to this area. It ensures that the toxins in the soil do not harm inhabitants of the area. The developers of the luxury apartment buildings at Point Ruston have taken advantage of a tax exemption that requires them to offer twenty percent of the housing units (40 apartments) as affordable housing over the next twelve years. These units will cost no more than thirty percent of a household’s monthly income. While affordable housing is a great thing for the community, when developers take advantage of these tax break programs it is important to consider what will happen to residents of these 40 units once twelve years have passed, will the property owners decide to offer the units at market rate? Will these people be forced out of their homes? This does not sound sustainable to me, it sounds like property developers taking advantage of a tax break, then saying they created affordable housing out of the kindness of their hearts.
So that’s it, problem solved, the Ruston Way waterfront is sustainable! Not so fast, a green infrastructure is just the foundation to a sustainable waterfront, as with anything relating to sustainability it is a multifaceted issue with more problems than solutions. These problems will be ever evolving and changing, we will need to continue to make improvements overtime, but this can only be done if we commit to the green infrastructure.