Start Date
2022
Description
The built environment poses significant risks to surrounding ecosystems. Impervious surfaces like roofs, roads, and parking lots do not allow rainwater to gradually filter into the soil. Instead, runoff often flows directly into storm drains and waterways —causing flooding, erosion and pollution. One way to mitigate these negative impacts is the installation of Green Infrastructure (GI), a variety of practices designed to infiltrate runoff into the soil, filter out pollutants, and provide habitat for native species. Because of the way urban areas developed, most commercial parking lots lack GI. If a property owner wants to use their space to help protect local waterways, they often need to replace part of their parking lots with GI practices. This is known as a retrofit. The purpose of this project was to evaluate various retrofit options based on affordability and effectiveness and present this information in an accessible format for businessowners looking to install GI in their parking lots.
Recommended Citation
Sall, Delaney and Wildschut, Julie, "Green Infrastructure in Parking Lot Retrofits" (2022). Summer Research. 39.
https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/summer_research/2022/Posters/39
Green Infrastructure in Parking Lot Retrofits
The built environment poses significant risks to surrounding ecosystems. Impervious surfaces like roofs, roads, and parking lots do not allow rainwater to gradually filter into the soil. Instead, runoff often flows directly into storm drains and waterways —causing flooding, erosion and pollution. One way to mitigate these negative impacts is the installation of Green Infrastructure (GI), a variety of practices designed to infiltrate runoff into the soil, filter out pollutants, and provide habitat for native species. Because of the way urban areas developed, most commercial parking lots lack GI. If a property owner wants to use their space to help protect local waterways, they often need to replace part of their parking lots with GI practices. This is known as a retrofit. The purpose of this project was to evaluate various retrofit options based on affordability and effectiveness and present this information in an accessible format for businessowners looking to install GI in their parking lots.