Low-Impact Development
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Low-Impact Development
Low-Impact Development (LID) is a sustainable approach to urban and land development that aims to minimize environmental impact. It is a comprehensive land planning and engineering design approach that emphasizes the preservation and enhancement of environmental quality. LID seeks to manage stormwater runoff at its source, by mimicking the pre-development hydrology of the site, while preserving and protecting natural hydrologic functions. This is achieved through a range of strategies, such as green roofs, permeable pavements, rain gardens, and green walls, which reduce the amount of impervious surfaces, and protect water quality by reducing the rate and volume of runoff. LID also seeks to reduce energy consumption and waste production, while improving air quality, creating wildlife habitat, reducing urban heat island effects, and reducing noise pollution. It is an integrated approach that seeks to optimize land use, by providing additional green space, and improving the aesthetic and functional qualities of urban areas. LID seeks to integrate sustainability and resiliency into urban planning and design, making it an increasingly important part of urban architecture. One of the key aspects of LID is the use of bioretention systems, which are designed to capture and treat stormwater runoff. Bioretention systems use a combination of vegetation, soil, and engineered materials to filter pollutants from stormwater, before it enters the groundwater or surface water. Bioretention systems can be used in a variety of settings, such as parking lots, roadways, and residential areas, and can be designed to accommodate different levels of stormwater runoff. Another key aspect of LID is the use of green infrastructure, which refers to the interconnected network of natural and engineered systems that provide ecological, economic, and social benefits. Green infrastructure includes parks, greenways, and other open spaces, as well as stormwater management systems, such as rain gardens and bioswales. Green infrastructure can help to reduce the impact of urbanization on natural systems, while providing a range of benefits, such as improved air and water quality, reduced energy consumption, and increased property values.
sustainable, stormwater, runoff, green infrastructure, bioretention
Low-Impact Development
Low-Impact Development (LID) is an approach to urban and land development that emphasizes the preservation and enhancement of environmental quality. It is an integrated land planning and engineering design approach that focuses on managing stormwater runoff at its source. It is based on the principle that disturbed land should be managed in a way that mimics the pre-development hydrology of the site, while preserving and protecting natural hydrologic functions. It is designed to reduce the amount of impervious surfaces, reduce the rate and volume of runoff, and protect water quality. In addition, LID can be used to reduce energy consumption, create wildlife habitat, improve air quality, reduce urban heat island effects, reduce noise pollution, and provide other benefits.
Green Infrastructure, Stormwater Management, Site Design, Permeable Surfaces, Ecological Restoration
CITATION : "Michael Adams. 'Low-Impact Development.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/low-impact-development?E=236623 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"
Low-Impact Development
Low-Impact Development (LID) is an urban design strategy which seeks to optimize land use, with the aim of minimizing environmental impact. It is an umbrella term for a range of strategies, such as green roofs, permeable pavements, rain gardens, and green walls, which address water pollution by reducing runoff, as well as providing additional green space. LID also seeks to reduce energy consumption and waste production, while also improving air quality, and providing aesthetic and functional benefits. This is achieved through the use of bioretention systems, green infrastructure, and rainwater harvesting, among other strategies. LID seeks to integrate sustainability and resiliency into urban planning and design, making it an increasingly important part of urban architecture.
Water management, soil conservation, stormwater management, decontamination, green infrastructure, bioretention, permeable pavements, rainwater harvesting, green roofs, green walls.
Low-Impact Development on Design+Encyclopedia
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