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.