Today’s environmental regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, resulting in the need for Low Impact Development (LID) and Green Infrastructure (GI) management on project sites. In order to limit hard surfaces such as parking lots, walkways, and emergency access lanes, new and innovative methods are required. As land access is at a premium and areas of environmental protection are expanding, builders and engineers must collaborate with regulators to incorporate LID and GI practices.

One effective and cost-efficient way to decrease impervious surfaces on-site and restore the natural water cycle is through porous pavements. These pavements also reduce the size of above-ground detention ponds and minimize the need for conveyance and treatment infrastructure. Additionally, low-maintenance solutions such as stormwater diversion channels, roadside swales, and drainage ditches can be employed to prevent erosion and overflow issues. Living green walls further increase vegetation on-site, promote water filtration from higher elevations, and enhance access to valuable land.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn what Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure mean for residential and commercial project sites.
• Gain an understanding of the regulations governing these practices and how they have been met with traditional construction methods.
• Learn about porous pavement options and their benefits and limitations related to infiltration, runoff reduction, traffic, and performance.
• Understand how to manage urban stormwater through the design of vegetated channels that replace hard-surface systems and mitigate flooding potential.