Date of Award

5-2014

Document Type

Terminal Project

Degree Name

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)

Department

Landscape Architecture

Advisor

Hala Nassar

Committee Member

Robert R. Hewitt

Committee Member

Daniel J. Ford

Abstract

ABSTRACT With rapid global population growth and increasingly intense urban and suburban development, there are often more impervious surfaces. “Hard cities” occupy and stretch into natural environment hence cause serious drainage problems when big storm events attack and stormwater drainage systems are overwhelmed. In addition, through separate stormwater sewer system that most cities are currently using, stormwater runoff that is drained by storm sewers do not go to treatment plant but enter natural water bodies directly. It picks up and carries numerous pollutants into our water bodies like ponds, streams, rivers, lakes and even oceans. In all, uncontrollable surface runoff becomes a big threat for cities. It can increase erosion, flooding, water pollution and some subsequent issues like habitat damages, groundwater decrease, and changes in the stream flow hydrology. The hazards brought by stormwater needs our urgent attentions while the destructive disasters also inform us that cities are not well equipped with drainage systems to meet the challenge of heavy storm events. This study examines and proposes solving urban stormwater problems through the integration of green infrastructure, rather than conventional grey infrastructure. The study focuses on using green infrastructure to solve urban stormwater problems and create water-resilient and livable cities. It starts with background information about stormwater by describing some big stormwater events in urban cities. Then current literatures about stormwater management, green infrastructure, and community livability are reviewed. By studying six green infrastructure cases in different scales and approaches, the study summarizes general green infrastructure design recommendations for application to a specific site in Greenville, South Carolina. The result indicates that there is a need to get people’s attention to stormwater issues, and there is a need to figure out a more sustainable solution that could integrate into current efforts in urban stormwater management.

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