Sustainable Initiatives

A COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE SITE DEVELOPMENT – BALANCED, SENSITIVE, PROVEN.

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Making decisions based on sustainable practices is not new to Dunaway. Our 50+ years in practice have given us a respect of the land and an appreciation of how quality survey, engineering and landscape architecture can provide the foundation to a successful project. Our collective knowledge of sustainable practices can be viewed by reading various commentaries written by our professionals.

Sustainable initiatives can include managing storm water in a manner that promotes water quality; minimizing impermeable surfaces through various techniques; orienting the site to gain energy efficiencies and strengths of the natural topography; and designing open space and natural elements that keep the site in harmony with the natural environment. As our clients embrace sustainable initiatives, Dunaway is ready to assist. The following pages provide a glimpse of sustainable initiatives, thoughts and projects currently in play at Dunaway.

S u S t a i n a b l e i n i t i a t i v e S

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S i t e D e v e l o p m e n t

Having been involved in hundreds of site develop-

ment projects, I have an intense interest in improving

the relationship between the ecology of a site and the

use of the land for economic development and quality

of life purposes. The American Society of Landscape

Architects (ASLA) released its Sustainable Sites Initia-

tive: Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009 on

November 5, 2009. It continues to gain momentum as

its Pilot Program (June 2010-June 2012) seeks to dem-

onstrate projects

that meet guide-

lines and evaluate

them according to

sustainability objec-

tives. The program

is a joint initiative

of ASLA, the Lady

Bird Johnson Wild-

flower Center at the

University of Texas

at Austin and the

United States Botan-

ic Garden. To me, it

represents a won-

derful confluence of

business objectives,

aesthetic sensibili-

ties, and illustrates the inherent value indigenous plant

materials bring to the quality of the environment. With

an eye toward sustainability, I believe a good balance

can be struck between business goals and long-term

preservation of natural resources and quality of life.

Tom Galbreath, ASLA, Senior Vice President

C a m p u S p r o g r a m S

As Director of Dunaway’s private sector practice, I get

involved in projects across multiple market sectors.

Dunaway has provided services on the Will Rogers

Memorial campus, the National Cowgirl Museum and

Hall of Fame and other cultural district assignments.

Institutional work includes the Mercantile Center, Pier 1

Headquarters, Christ Chapel Bible Church. Healthcare,

such as our work at Cook Children’s Hospital, and over

20 buildings on the TCU campus and other colleges are

also a substantial part

of our work. What has

quickly become appar-

ent is an acute interest

in developing facili-

ties, especially campus

environments, with an

eye to sustainability. In

years past, the site and

infrastructure develop-

ment portion of an

assignment was often

relegated to almost an

afterthought. However,

now we find ourselves

“front and center” dur-

ing the earliest stages

of project development.

This is because some of the biggest opportunities for

“building in” sustainability come with the site—grading,

stormwater control, pavement materials, tree cover and

vegetation—all are decisions made early on that impact

environmental quality of the campus. And our ability

to incorporate Civil 3D with BIM has been a huge step

in allowing all stake holders, from architect to engineer

to owner, to see how the site aspects coordinate with

the vertical structure. Understanding site conditions

and providing services that help owners meet goals of

cost efficiency. Accuracy and sustainability are keys to

success in this area of our work.

Chris Wilde, P.E., LEED A.P.

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H e a l t H C a r e

For today’s healthcare facilities – whether new or

expanded hospitals, clinics, laboratories, medical office

buildings, or specialized facilities such as children’s

hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient facilities, reha-

bilitation facilities, hospices, or assisted living facilities

– key decisions made early on in the process can impact

the ultimate success of the facility. As with many other

types of facilities, the healthcare industry is showing

increasing interest in pursuing sustainable initiatives

when constructing

or redeveloping their

facilities. Site design

for healthcare

facilities is perhaps

one of the great-

est opportunities to

incorporate sus-

tainable practices.

Topography, paving,

vegetation, and tree

canopy are elements

that can affect

sustainability over

the long term and

can be enhanced

with sustainable

technologies. For

instance, using permeable surface materials and on-site

stormwater detention can help lessen the impact on

the physical environment. Sustainable initiatives relat-

ing to energy efficiency, building materials, and water

usage can also be considered. We have found that

an integrated team approach where all parties work

together to identify the benefits and trade-offs can go a

long way to achieving a successful healthcare facility.

Jason Williamson, P.E., LEED AP

W a t e r r e C l a m a t i o n

Water reclamation facilities are one example of projects

at Dunaway that have a direct connection to sustain-

ability objectives. For instance, my current assign-

ment is the design of a reclaimed water pipeline at

Walsh Ranch, a master-planned community on the

west side of Fort Worth. Walsh Ranch is a 7200 acre

master-planned community located on the West side

of Fort Worth, Texas with an anticipated build out

schedule of over 40 years. Look for sustainability to

become a trademark

of this community as it

develops, because the

owners are interested

in building something

that will be very special

for Fort Worth and the

entire region. Given

the projected growth in

the area over the next

several decades, water

demand and its avail-

ability will be an ever

growing concern. Walsh

Ranch is pursuing oppor-

tunities, like reclaimed

water, to reduce their

demands for potable

water and encourage sustainable growth within the

area. With nearly 2,300 acres as planned open space

and recreational facilities, the ability to use treated ef-

fluent from nearby wastewater treatment facilities for

irrigation is invaluable. Unlike potable water, reclaimed

water availability increases with population growth and

is independent of weather cycles. It is exciting for me

to be involved in a project that has a real impact on the

sustainability of our water resources.

Brandon Middleton, P.E., LEED AP

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l a r g e - S C a l e D e v e l o p m e n t

I have been blessed to be involved in one of North

Texas’ most premier developments, one whose owners

place top priority on the legacy of the land, its natural

resources, its past, and its future. I serve as the project

principal of the 7,000-acre Walsh Ranch development,

located on the western edge of Fort Worth, Texas. The

Walsh family has embraced their position as stewards

of thousands of acres of pristine prairie land. It is a

testimony to their gracious character when observ-

ing actions that go beyond

minimal development costs

to insure that the heritage

of the land remains intact.

The Ranch has served as the

headquarters of the How-

ard Walsh Family ranching

operations for almost 60

years. The land has great

natural beauty and particu-

larly interesting topography.

From the outset, the 30-year

development scenario set its

sights on tenants that reflect

the ultimate in sustainability

objectives: to respect and

enhance the natural environ-

mental features of this sec-

tion of Cross Timbers region of the state and its flora,

fauna, water and air; to create a unique and integrated

open space and park system; and to create a balanced

community with places to live, work, learn, shop, recre-

ate, play and fellowship. How do you really understand

what is meant by sustainable site initiatives? Immerse

yourself in a large-scale land development project and

ride the test of time, yes decades, to see how sustain-

able initiatives play out against a back drop of political

objectives and economic goals…and see how the com-

mitment to the land CAN succeed!

Toby Ford, P.E., Vice President

l a n D D e v e l o p m e n t

Real estate developers are beginning to cite “sustain-

ability” as a distinct advantage to their properties. They

cite recently reported statistics that claim “green” real

estate has a five to twelve percent higher value and will

spend up to 33 percent less time on the market. This

advantage extends to increased resale value as well.

As a civil engineer who specializes in residential and

mixed use development, I’m seeing increased interest in

sustainable applications. Focusing on natural features

to protect and restore

existing hydrologic

functions; minimizing

irrigation through urban

forestry and landscape

architecture techniques;

and incorporating ‘multi-

modal’ elements such

as trails and adjacency

to transit are the most

often approaches

desired. Developers

of higher density and

mixed-use properties

are also showing more

interest in sustainable

initiatives, seeing it as a

good investment. I am

working on an exciting high-density greenfield develop-

ment in which the owner is incorporating sustainable

practices, in the belief that buyers equate sustainable

features with a better quality of life. The bottom line is

that while good practices in site development are not

new….engineers have been designing sites with sus-

tainable objectives for decades…the consumer is now

catching on. And as consumers focus on it, developers

are giving them what they want. The end result is a

better community for all of us.

Richard Shaheen, P.E., LEED AP

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H i g H e r e D u C a t i o n

Being involved in projects higher education clients has

allowed me to be able to see sustainability initiatives

from different perspectives. Through my work with

these clients, I have come to understand that sustain-

ability, and, in particular, LEED, is more of a process

than a certification level. We are seeing a more fully

sustainable mindset with our higher ed clients, and it

has been interesting to observe them take a more pro-

active approach to sustainable issues. For instance, my

work with TCU il-

lustrates a client that

is very conscious

of sustainability ef-

forts. The university

has committed to

pursuing LEED cer-

tification on all new

buildings and rede-

veloped buildings

as well. They have

evolved from being

merely pleased to

have attained LEED

certification to rec-

ognizing that their

changes are having

a positive impact

on the environment while at the same time making the

buildings more attractive and increasing efficiency. They

have been very public with this initiative and make the

effort to conduct tours to demonstrate the sustainabil-

ity initiatives they have achieved that help them do their

part in helping the environment. Sometimes, clients are

initially concerned about the increased upfront costs

that can be associated with sustainability measures,

but we have found that by using specific available

technologies, overall life cycle costs of the building or

development may be reduced, and oftentimes pay for

themselves long before the end of the life of the project

is reached.

James Yu, P.E., LEED AP

F l o o D p l a i n m a n a g e m e n t

Floodplain management has slowly evolved over the

past 50 years. In the past, the objective was to remove

storm water runoff from the site as efficiently as pos-

sible, sending it quickly downstream, typically through

a concrete lined channel. Now, however, floodplain

managers, cities and developers tend to view storm

water as an amenity rather than a liability, leaving

floodplain areas in their natural state. This natural

approach retains existing riparian areas between the

stream and the adjacent

areas outside the flood-

plain, which can provide

habitat for a variety of

species. These riparian

areas can function as

filters, removing pol-

lutants from the storm

water before they reach

the stream, which im-

proves the overall water

quality of the stream.

Flood waters slowed by

these riparian areas also

have the opportunity

to percolate into the

ground and recharge

the water table. This

shift to a more natural floodplain also includes the

trend toward channel restoration, returning streams

and channels designed to efficiently send storm water

downstream to their natural state to take advantage of

these natural benefits. On some of my recent projects

the clients opted for stream restoration rather than con-

crete channels because the more natural state of the

stream offered enhanced aesthetics as well as better

erosion control and water quality. Although the initial

costs of returning a channel to a more natural form

can be higher than hard lining the channel, sustainable

concepts tend to be more economical in the long run

because impacts to adjacent properties are minimized

and maintenance costs over the life of the channel can

be less.

Mike Dellies, P.E., CFM

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W a t e r r e S o u r C e S

When a building owner or developer pursues sustain-

ability objectives for a project, one area sometimes

overlooked is management of on-site water. My

specialty is water resources and hydrology/hydraulics.

Thus, when I became a LEED Accredited Professional,

my natural inclination was to focus on water resources.

What I’ve seen is that with any project, the earlier

water issues are considered, preferably during the initial

planning stage, the more opportunity can be gained

for impacting water man-

agement. As sustainability

efforts zero in on water, the

desire to use natural systems

to clean, store and distribute

water also comes more into

focus. Sustainable practices

call for avoiding disturbance

near streams and wetlands

and using natural approach-

es for erosion control and

water absorption. “Soft engi-

neering” techniques, the use

of ecological approaches to

soften the interface between

land and the water’s edge,

can improve sustainability

without compromising the

engineered integrity. One plus is that soft engineering

of stream banks is typically less expensive than hard

engineering . Also, long-term maintenance costs are

generally lower because soft engineering uses living

plant materials, which tend to mature and stabilize

with time. Another water-related sustainable concept

is to manage and clean water on-site by developing a

site design that captures, slows and treats stormwater

runoff by directing stormwater to bioretention areas

such as wetlands and bioswales.

Cuneyt Erbatur, P.E., CFM, LEED AP

l a n D S C a p e a r C H i t e C t u r e

Urban planners and landscape architects have long

known the value of green space for both aesthetic rea-

sons and quality of life. Recent studies on heat islands

have shown that use of vegetation, shade structures,

and other techniques to cool the air can reduce energy

costs and environmental impact. Urban heat islands

are typically metropolitan areas that are warmer than

surrounding rural areas, usually caused by modifica-

tion of the land surface. Modern development can use

materials which retain

heat, and as population

centers grow they tend

to modify a greater and

greater area of land.

Excess heat contributes

to poor air quality. Water

quality is also impacted

as hot pavement and

rooftop surfaces trans-

fer their excess heat to

stormwater, which raises

temperatures in streams,

rivers, ponds, and

lakes stressing aquatic

ecosystems. Sustainable

site development utilizes

vegetative plantings to

provide cooling through shading and evapotranspira-

tion. Evapotranspiration alone can create micro-cli-

mates that can reduce temperatures by 2 to 9 degrees

Fahrenheit. Green roofs, green belts, water features,

tree preservation, and well-planned landscapes can

help mitigate this impact.

Larry O’Flinn, ASLA

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H i g H e r e D C a m p u S e S

I am responsible for Dunaway’s higher education

practice, and am seeing more and more major col-

lege, university and junior college systems call for LEED

certification of new and redeveloped buildings. With

increasing competition among universities for enroll-

ment, campuses that are known for strong sustainabil-

ity initiatives have an advantage in enticing the gen-

eration raised during decades of “green” awareness.

Another factor in campuses going green are studies

showing better lifestyle

experiences due to

reductions in stress and

development of a more

mutually supportive

community in facilities

with green space, trails,

benches, and classrooms

that feature natural

daylighting. Dunaway is

proud to have been the

civil engineer on two

campus buildings that

were recently awarded

GOLD LEED certification.

Sherley Hall, a renova-

tion of an existing 76,

403 SF building was the

first TCU building to achieve LEED certification. Schar-

bauer Hall, a 74,000 SF academic facility was the

second. In the Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green

Colleges TCU is one of three Texas universities included

in the list. As Dunaway continues to grow its expertise

in sustainable site design, we expect to see our involve-

ment increase in the design of sustainable campus

environments. The site elements we deal with, ranging

from site selection, drainage, paving, soils, wetlands,

landscaping and water quality are perhaps some of

the more direct connections of a site to the environ-

ment. Helping clients make wise choices in the balance

between economic investment, sustainable sensitivities,

and life cycle cost is one of Dunaway’s ongoing com-

mitments.

Brooks Baca, P.E.

e n v i r o n m e n t a l i S S u e S

As a Certified Wildlife Biologist and Wetland Scientist, I

have experienced first-hand how environmental issues

can affect nearly every type of project. Urban environ-

ments, in particular, pose special environmental chal-

lenges because of the negative effect development can

have on existing natural resources. From improved air

quality to healthier water quality, increased economic

advantages, and improved quality of life, a healthy

natural environment in an urban setting can have

far-reaching ben-

efits. For instance,

wetlands in an

urban environ-

ment can serve as

a natural filter for

wastewater treat-

ment and as habitat

for migrating birds.

Trees and other

plants can improve

air quality within city

boundaries. Green

space can enhance

human health by

providing opportuni-

ties for exercise and

aesthetic enjoy-

ment. In addition, it can attract businesses to the area.

Many of Dunaway’s clients have already discovered the

benefits to their companies and the community at large

to be gained by including natural resources within their

developments and projects.

Pete Mckone, CWB

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g r e e n r o o F S

Sustainability, in my view, revolves around a com-

mitment to overall sustainable principles rather than

focusing solely on a point system. When you commit

to sustainable goals in developing a project, even small

changes can have a large influence on a building’s

environmental impact. An interesting trend in sustain-

ability that is gaining momentum and that I’m starting

to see in some of my projects is the use of “green”

roofs. A green roof is one that uses lightweight soil

and living plant material to

partially or completely cover

a structure’s roof with a goal

to manage storm water,

clean the air, reduce urban

heat island effect, and build

habitat. Depending on the

design, a green roof can typi-

cally reduce storm water run-

off by 50 to 90%. Also the

peak stormwater (rainfall)

flow volume can be delayed

by as much as four hours,

minimizing the impact on ex-

isting sewer systems. Green

roofs also help reduce noise

levels, and help filter pollut-

ants and carbon dioxide out

of the air. While some may think that green roofs are

not feasible in warmer climates, particularly high heat

areas such as Texas, it is possible with the right design

and the right selection of plant materials to achieve

beneficial results.

Thomas J. Alves, ASLA, ACIP

r e t a i l D e v e l o p m e n t

Interested in seeing how corporate America can make

a difference in sustainability? Work with a company

like Walmart, which has thousands of retail stores,

Supercenters and distribution centers across the United

States and around the world. I have been able to

work on over 60 various Walmart assignments and

have viewed first-hand the corporation’s implementa-

tion of sustainability standards, especially over the last

two to three years. One of Walmart’s key initiatives

is “Sustainability 360”

which extends their

commitment to sustain-

able principles across all

of its operations, from

building construction to

merchandise delivery,

not only in the U.S., but

around the world. With

this initiative, Walmart

makes sure all of its

consultants and vendors

understand the three

Walmart sustainabil-

ity goals: To ultimately

be supplied 100% by

renewable energy; to

create zero waste; and

to sell products that sustain people and the environ-

ment. As Dunaway helps Walmart in their site develop-

ment activities, we see firsthand their commitment as

they hold us to rigorous standards relating to drainage,

water quality, landscaping and infrastructure engineer-

ing. I also think their program “Acres for America” is

commendable and is making a difference. Under an

arrangement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foun-

dation (NFWF), Walmart provides one acre of wildlife

habitat in the U.S. for every acre of land they develop.

For Walmart, sustainability means so much more than

just that their buildings are energy efficient.

Chris Biggers, P.E. LEED AP

a b o u t D u n a W a y

Dunaway Associates is a professional services company

with a solid, results-oriented history. With a staff of

over 100, the firm provides civil engineering, planning,

landscape architecture, environmental services, traf-

fic & parking engineering, hydraulics/hydrology, and

land surveying services to a wide variety of public and

private clients.

With continued growth over its 50-year history, the firm

is large enough to provide depth of resources for each

project while maintaining a high level of client service

and responsiveness. Our goal is to provide our clients

the best possible expertise and service, to commit the

resources necessary to ensure the success of each proj-

ect, and to maintain excellent professional relationships

in all aspects of its business. What sets us apart?

A culture based on core values—guiding every action, every day. The core values that we strive to employ each day include integrity, honesty, respect, responsiveness, attitude of service, technical competency, and sense of urgency.

Integrated project approach—providing solutions for the built environment. Since projects begin with the land, we are often the first to collaborate with all participants to leverage insights and coordinate multiple disciplines in order to optimize project results and increase value to the owner.

A commitment to responsible site development—balanced, proven, enduring. Basing decisions and designs on sustainable principles is not new to Dunaway. Making choices based on knowledge of the land and sensitivity to environmental impact leads to a more successful built environment.

We value our relationships with our clients—built on trust, respect and open exchange. We enter every client relationship with a commitment to their satisfaction and our sights on long-term rapport.

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i m p o r t a n t l i n k S & r e F e r e n C e S

United States Green Building Council (USGBC) ,

www.USGBC.org

North Texas Green Council, (NTGC),

www.northtexasgreencouncil.org

Sustainable Sites Initiative, www.sustainablesites.org

North Central Texas Sustainable Development,

www.nctcog.org/trans/sustdev

Urban Land Institute, www.uli.org

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the Univ. Texas Austin,

www.wildflower.org

United States Botanic Garden, www.usbg.gov

Congress for the New Urbanism, www.cnu.org

Trinity River Vision Authority, www.trinityrivervision.org

A culture based on core values—guiding every action, every day. The core values that we strive to employ each day include integrity, honesty, respect, responsiveness, attitude of service, technical competency, and sense of urgency.

Integrated project approach—providing solutions for the built environment. Since projects begin with the land, we are often the first to collaborate with all participants to leverage insights and coordinate multiple disciplines in order to optimize project results and increase value to the owner.

A commitment to responsible site development—balanced, proven, enduring. Basing decisions and designs on sustainable principles is not new to Dunaway. Making choices based on knowledge of the land and sensitivity to environmental impact leads to a more successful built environment.

We value our relationships with our clients—built on trust, respect and open exchange. We enter every client relationship with a commitment to their satisfaction and our sights on long-term rapport.

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W 7th St

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35W