I've had several people ask me, after reviewing this blog, what exactly in Low Impact Development? And though we've attempted to shortly define the concept in our introduction, I liked this more lengthy description of LID from the Low Impact Development Center, Inc..
"LID is an innovative stormwater management approach with a basic principle that is modeled after nature: manage rainfall at the source using uniformly distributed decentralized micro-scale controls. LID's goal is to mimic a site's predevelopment hydrology by using design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain runoff close to its source. Techniques are based on the premise that stormwater management should not be seen as stormwater disposal. Instead of conveying and managing / treating stormwater in large end-of-pipe facilities located at the bottom of drainage areas, LID addresses stormwater through small landscape (as well as process or structural, my addition) features located at the lot level.
LID controls can be incorporated into almost every section of urban and suburban environments including open space, rooftops, streetscapes, parking lots, sidewalks, and medians. This versatile approach can be applied equally well to new development, urban retrofits, and redevelopment / revitalization projects. LID provides numerous benefits and advantages over conventional stormwater management approaches. The major benefits of LID include being a more environmentally and economically sustainable way to address the adverse impacts of urbanization. By managing runoff close to its source though intelligent site design, LID can enhance the local environment, protect public health, and improve community livability."
More information from The Low Impact Development Center, Inc. is available from their website at www.lowimpactdevelopment.org.
