Creating a LID Environment in an Ultra Urban Setting

The literature indicates the value of Low Impact Development (LID) practices in reducing stormwater impacts in moderately densely developed urban and suburban settings. Almost exclusively, case histories show the techniques constructed in parking lot locations, new subdivisions, and similar developments where available land and existing infrastructure are conducive to LID. These installations usually are associated with new development on previously undeveloped sites. However, descriptions of LID deployment in previously developed ultra urban settings and urban redevelopment sites are extremely difficult to locate. The key features of a program to implement LID in a well established ultra urban setting are described. Considerations that are addressed include policy and planning, geology/soils, education and cultural change. A discussion of these considerations is presented as they relate to a moderate sized Puget Sound city's efforts to implement LID in its downtown and near downtown environs.