Title: Reading Assignment
Course: GFM 103 Exterior Environmental Management > Section: GFM 103 Exterior Environmental Management

Reading Assignment

(1/2)
Proper Site Selection and Low Impact Development

Browse terms related to these Proper Site Selection and Low Impact Development (LID) philosophies.

Sustainable buildings start with proper site selection. The location of a building affects a wide range of environmental factors—as well as other factors such as security, accessibility, and energy consumption, as well as the energy consumed by transportation needs of occupants for commuting, the impact on local ecosystems, and the use/reuse of existing structures and infrastructures. Therefore, it is important to address site selection early in the project development process to ensure issues like solar access and proximity to public transportation are considered. Equally important is that the person selecting the project site understands sustainable site design and the impact it has on the building's overall energy performance. If possible, locate buildings in areas of existing development where infrastructure already exists and consider conserving resources by renovating existing buildings including historic properties. It is imperative that building owners and developers maximize the restorative impact of site design and building infrastructure while meeting the project's other requirements.

Low Impact Development (LID) is an alternative site design strategy that uses natural and engineered infiltration and storage techniques to control storm water where it is generated. LID combines conservation practices with distributed storm water source controls and pollution prevention to maintain or restore watershed functions. The objective is to disperse LID devices uniformly across a site to minimize runoff.

LID reintroduces the hydrologic and environmental functions that are altered with conventional storm water management. LID helps to maintain the water balance on a site and reduces the detrimental effects that traditional end-of-pipe systems have on waterways and the groundwater supply. LID devices provide temporary retention areas; increase infiltration; allow for nutrient (pollutant) removal; and control the release of storm water into adjacent waterways

Do these terms sound familiar? Some are… Some aren’t?!?

Become familiar with their terms and definitions by looking new words up in Glossary sites