Alternative Futures: Economic and Water Resource Analysis of Traditional vs. Low Impact Redevelopment

摘要

Stormwater management is an important issue for communities across the nation. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and its mandatory compliance programs, aging infrastructure, streambank erosion and flooding, and increased citizen interest in improving water quality and promoting sustainable landscapes is driving cities to prioritize capitol expenditures, develop monitoring and educational programs and adopt new design standards. Innovative low-impact development (LID) techniques allow stormwater to be managed in a manner that retains predevelopment hydrologic and ecological functions, while addressing major NPDES compliance requirements. Communities and developers, however, continue to debate the economic benefits and impacts of LID.