Creating Vibrant Communities
Green Infrastructure for Engaging CommunitiesElizabeth BalderstonAugust 13, 2013
Spirit in Service for Vibrant Communities
Elizabeth Balderston
Green Infrastructure for Engaging Communities
Low Impact Development
Creating Vibrant Communities Liliana Bozic
Elizabeth Balderston
August 2013
Low Impact Development
definitions and components
Interchangeable Terminology
LID Low Impact Development SUDS Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems WSUD Water Sensitive Urban Design BMP Best Management Practices SCP Source Control Practices
What is LID?LID is an approach to land development that works with nature to manage stormwater as close to its source as possible
Key principles: Preservation of natural soil infiltrating potential; Small scale integrated controls dispersed throughout
the site; Minimizing and disconnecting impervious areas; Prolonging stormwater runoff flow paths and times Creating multi-functional landscapes.
Why LID?Today’s challenges:
Urban growth impacts watershed health
Limited effectiveness of conventional drainage practices
Regulatory requirements
Climate change
Land development alters the natural balance between runoff and natural absorption
• greater amounts of impervious surface
• increased rates and volumes of surface runoff
• increased susceptibility of eroded land to flooding,
• damage to public and private property
• in-stream and wetland habitat degradation
Watershed Impacts
Limited Effectiveness of Stormwater Ponds
Limited pollutant removal • Effective for large sediment particles only• Limited nutrient removal
No runoff volume reduction
Concerns with winter operation
High maintenance cost
New Requirements New regulation requires better
stormwater quality treatment
Stormwater rate and volume control targets are established through watershed management planning process
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Water dependencies
Watershed
Drinking Water
Wastewater
People
Bow & Elbow River
Land Use
• Source protection• Watershed Yield (Glaciers)
• Water resources• Water rights• Water Quality
• Pollutants• Collection infrastructure
• Total loadings• Assimilative capacity
• Supply and demand• Service levels
• TreatmentInfrastructure
• Drinking waterquality
• Distributioninfrastructure
• Imperviousness• hydrology
• Storm water infrastructure
Storm Water
• Urban runoff
Bioswales / Vegetated SwalesShallow and deep infiltration
Low susceptibility to cold climate
Treatment
Porous pavementShallow and deep infiltrationLow to high susceptibility to cold climateTreatment
Green RoofsShallow infiltrationLow susceptibility to cold climateVolume reduction
Rainwater reuseVolume reduction
LID calls for an integrated Strategy Plan at Site, Neighborhood, and
Watershed Level
A variety of easy and practical, cost-saving techniques to manage stormwater runoff close to its source (where rain falls) while preserving and protecting natural landscape features
Principles of Low Impact Development
LID Components- Better Planning Practices
LID Components- Better Planning Practices
LID Components- Absorbent Landscaping
LID Components- Absorbent Landscaping
LID Components- Bioretention / Bioswale
LID Components- Bioretention / Bioswale
LID Components- Vegetated Swale
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LID Components- Box Planters
LID Components - Permeable Pavement
LID Components- Permeable Pavement
LID Components - Green Roofs
LID Components - Green Roofs
LID Components- Rainwater Harvesting
LID Components- Rainwater Harvesting
Source: www.rainwaterpillow.com
LID Components- Rainwater Harvesting
Courtesy Cultec
LID Components- Stormwater Capture & Re-Use
Low Impact Development
creating vibrant
communities
Stormwater oriented low impact development strategies contribute to Vibrant Communities on multiple fronts:
• financial infrastructure – construction, repairs, maintenance, operation
natural and environmental disasters
environmental services
property values and development costs
• community resources community health
delight / aesthetics
education
community interaction
LID - Community Impacts
Vibrant Communities- community health / connection with nature
Vibrant Communities- education / community interaction
Vibrant Communities- community interaction / education
Vibrant Communities- delight
Vibrant Communities- urban greening / delight
Vibrant Communities- urban greening / community amenity
What is LID2?Low Impact Development is a creative design strategy that informs development opportunities on how to better connect with the surrounding energetic, ecological and social patterns to promote integrative sustainability.
Key principles: Designing with the environment and the land Give priority to social dimensions and environmental
protection Do we need it? Can we maintain it? Is there a solution
requiring fewer interventions? Is it local, integrated and decentralized?
What is LID2?
What is LID2?
What is LID2?
What is LID2?
What is LID2?
Creating Vibrant Communities
Next lecture: Tuesday September 17
Mark Anielski
Creating Flourishing Communities of Wellbeing and Happiness
www.urbansystems.ca