Applicability of Low-Impact Development in the Urban Environment
Abstract
As cities have developed more intensively over time, runoff of rainfall after storms has created significant flooding problems. In some cases this runoff also has lead to health hazards with the spreading of disease. With the growth of these problems, several potential solutions have emerged. One such set of solutions is Low Impact Development (LID) methods. The focus of this paper is to determine the applicability of implementing LID stormwater management methods in urban areas to reduce stormwater runoff volume and pollutant loadings. Specifically, the paper focuses on the use of LID on commercial and institutional land uses in urbanized areas. The paper first introduces some of the background issues associated with LID, including the history of stormwater management, an understanding of stormwater as it relates to the hydrologic cycle, and a discussion of associated stormwater management issues. Part 2 of the paper discusses the regulatory framework for stormwater management, including national and local policies. Part 3 introduces LID and examines the particular methods appropriate for commercial or institutional land uses in urbanized areas: bioretention, permeable pavements, and rain barrels. Case studies of urban LID projects are presented in Part 4. Part 5 discusses the obstacles to implementing LID and possible ways to encourage it, specifically through stormwater utility credits. The final section presents conclusions and recommendations. Although LID was initially developed in a low-density residential setting, the case studies reviewed in this paper suggest that LID methods can reduce stormwater runoff volume and pollution in urban areas with medium and high-density land uses. Additionally, the LID methods can be adapted for use on large commercial and institutional land uses. This paper provides an overview of relevant cases and a better understanding of LID implementation for property owners and municipalities. (4 tables, 5 figures, 41 refs.)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 13, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA425949
Entities
People
- Cassie A. Gorman
Organizations
- Georgia Tech