[CANUFNET] Utility pipeline / conduit installations in urban centers

[Naomi Zurcher]

Good afternoon colleagues:

Although I am currently located in Luzern Switzerland, we all face the same challenges in the planning for and management of the urban tree resource.

I am currently in discussion with Luzern’s greening department regarding where utility pipelines and conduits are installed in Luzern’s downtown. Presently, almost all such utility lines are installed under the pedestrian walkway. This means that not only is the tree being planted into a space already occupied by a pipeline / conduit but every time that pipeline or conduit requires repair work, the tree’s roots will undoubtedly be damaged and the possibility of failure exacerbated.
 
I started to wonder what the procedure / policy might be in other locations throughout the Americas and Europe. In New York City, utility conduit is installed in the street, under the road bed. Of course there are feeder lines into buildings but the main conduit is in the street. In Luzern, given the space allocated to conduits combined with the limited expanse of the pedestrian walkway, there is just not enough space to accommodate that landscape underground  that is necessary to grow a canopy tree into maturity. 
 
If I am going to argue the sense of this and what continuing the practice precludes, it would be helpful to have examples of better policies. Any such info from your municipality or your experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, in advance and kind regards from Luzern
Naomi


Arbor Aegis
Urban Forester / Consulting Arborist / I-Tree team affiliate member
6006 Luzern
Switzerland
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