​​​​​​Green Infrastructure 

Green Infrastructure (GI) is a building technique designed to work with nature, the water cycle, and the environment. It can be implemented and planned in early stages of new construction, embedded into a revitalization project, or created at pre-existing sites. GI helps mitigate flooding, reduce erosion, improve water quality, reduce heat-island effect, preserve natural wildlife, and more.

Common examples of GI are vegetated swales or rain gardens, permeable pavement/pavers, and curb cuts.  Implementing GI in communities helps to filter pollutants from stormwater, reduces the pressure on current stormwater infrastructure, allows more water to filter into the ground, and increases vegetation which increases livability and walkability, and reduces the heat island effect.​

​Photo of water permeable sidewalk in Phoenix ​Curb Cuts

Curb cuts are used in parking lots or streets to allow rainwater to flow into the adjacent landscape.  When it rains, the runoff enters the landscaped area to water the plants and filter into the ground. This takes pressure off of the storm sewer system, reduces flooding, and filters pollutants from parking lots and streets.

Photo of curbing with a cut in it for water drainage
Permeable/Pervious Pavement

or Pavers

Permeable or pervious pavement or pavers add porosity, providing a way for water to filter through the hard surfaces and into the ground below. It keeps rainwater on site, reduces flooding, captures and retains potential pollutants, and helps recharge aquifers.

Permeable Pavement-Pavers.jpg

Vegetated Swale or Rain Garden

Vegetated swales (bio-swales) or rain gardens are contours dug into the landscape that direct water through a site or property.  This technique allows water to slow down, cool off, and percolate into the ground.​

Road median with stormwater runoff