Stormwater management by low impact development practices

Abstract

Due to the effects of climate change, urban and suburban expansion, and urban pollutants on runoff quality and quantity, applying contemporary stormwater management approaches in urban areas have become more critical. Low impact development (LID) practices are environmentally friendly stormwater management methods, seeking to replicate the natural hydrologic regimes in urban areas. They have become popular methods to reduce/prevent adverse stormwater runoff impacts in urban catchments, mainly by improving on-site infiltration or harvesting and reusing runoff. This study introduces LID practices and the importance of using them. Thereafter, the structure, benefits, and limitations of common LID practices are explained to help water resource engineers and urban planners have a better understanding of these practices, and choose the most suitable LID practice based on the needs of the project and features of the site.