It has been widely argued that “green” infrastructure projects can provide more cost-effective control of stormwater runoff through the use of natural design features that reduce the required design capacity of the “gray” infrastructures. George Washington University has been a first-mover in this regard, developing an underutilized space called “Square 80” into a low-impact development site designed to reduce the impervious surface on campus.
But like LEED standards and green building, measuring the merits of such projects can be quite difficult. This is why I was happy to notice a post at The Dirt disseminating a compilation of 479 low impact development project case studies collected by the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Environmental Protection Agency.
An excerpt from ASLA’s post: [go to their site for a snapshot analysis]
The E.P.A. asked ASLA to collect case studies on projects that successfully and sustainably manage stormwater. More than 300 ASLA members responded with 479 case studies from 43 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Not only do these projects showcase landscape architecture, but they also demonstrate to policymakers the value of creating green infrastructure policies and investing in these approaches.
Green infrastructure and low-impact development (LID) approaches, which are less costly than traditional grey infrastructure projects, can save communities millions of dollars each year and improve the quality of our nation’s water supply. Also, these systems provide multiple benefits: They store carbon, provide wildlife habitat, and clean and cool the air, creating more livable communities in the process.
Enjoy!