Description
Landscaped Boulevards make driving through an area more enjoyable. When it is done with native plant species the spaces can require nearly zero maintenance while still providing the benefits of landscaping.
Strengths
Generally perceived to be a roadway improvement. Landscaped median can break up roadway so it feels less like a cut through a neighborhood. Shrinking the perceived width of the roadway tends to reduce speeding and make the facility safer.
Weaknesses
If the landscaping needs to be maintained, projects can leave a hefty maintenance commitment. Roadway beautification can be a polarizing issue politically.
Examples
Example1: Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Sustainable Boulevards
Description: A program operated by the city’s Forestry Section that would work to improve the boulevard system with plants and trees that would require less time and money to maintain while improving the neighborhood aesthetics.
Example 2: City of Melbourne
Description: Landscape treatment policy for nature strips and medians in streets, avenues an boulevards.
Example 3: Chicago, IL
Description: PowerPoint highlighting Chicago’s investments in green street infrastructure which can be emulated when designing landscaping for other streets.
Example 4: Bay-Lake, WI
Description: Using land corridors to preserve natural resources in the state of Wisconsin.