ABSTRACT
Natural green infrastructure comprises soil, vegetation, and water that exist as natural green features (wetlands, rivers, lakes, forests, meadows, riparian zones, and other natural areas). Built green infrastructure includes active recreation parks, low density residential developments, cemeteries, green streets, green walls, bioswales, green roofs, and rain gardens. Concepts, policies, and implementation regarding innovative stormwater programs and green infrastructure are well established in the European Union. There are also emerging efforts in the USA, including Portland, Oregon, Philadelphia and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois, to combine the use of green infrastructure with innovative stormwater management strategies to address myriad ecological, social, and economic issues. In addition to the multiple technical and engineering related benefits if designed properly there are also limitless opportunities for community involvement and buy-in with green infrastructure projects that improve the local environment and quality of life.
