An Island of Green

In the most densely populated parts of the United States, our surroundings are largely coated in concrete and asphalt. The natural hydrology of the land has been interrupted. Instead of rainwater runoff naturally being absorbed into the soil, our cities must build gargantuan sewer systems connected to a web of storm drains that contaminates our clean water with all the oily residues washed off the city streets. It is an expensive and inefficient system. In New York City, legislation nearly eliminated discharges of dirty water by manufacturing, but their water ways are still none that you'd want to swim in. Over 75% of the contaminants still in the rivers come from the runoff from city streets.


At New York University's Environmental Health Clinic they have come up with a creative solution to this and many other environmental problems plaguing the city. The Environmental Health Clinic at NYU, also known as the X clinic, isn't like other university health clinics. You still make an appointment to come in and discuss a health concern, but instead of giving you prescription medications, they prescribe actions. "Patients" may be prescribed to perform local data collection or any number of 'urban interventions' aimed at understanding and improving environmental health. They may also be given 'referrals' to specific art and design projects, environmental organizations or local government and civil society groups that can utilize the data and actions prescribed to promote social change. 


The NoPARK project is one XRx prescribed. A NoPARK takes a standard 'no parking' zone, mostly those associated with fire hydrants, and turns the space into a green zone. By replacing the asphalt with low growing plants like mosses and grass, these micro-engineered green spaces prevent storm water runoff, purifying the water before it rejoins the water system. This living space is a low maintenance surface cover that stabilizes the soil, replenishes groundwater, alleviates strain on overtaxed sewer systems, and provides beautiful green space in the middle of the city. The NoPARK zone is still accessible by emergency vehicles which can simply park on top of the resilient vegetation. The XClinic estimates that if every 'no parking' zone was turned into a green space in NY city, 97% of all the cities contaminated runoff would be eliminated.


To find out more about this and other environmental health prescriptions, visit http://www.environmentalhealthclinic.net/  or watch a fascinating TedTalk by director of the XClinic Natalie Jeremijenko at http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/natalie_jeremijenko_the_art_of_the_eco_mindshift.html and learn how to perform your own random acts of eco-action.