Changes

<p>The field of stormwater management has undergone considerable evolution in the last 40-50 years, from underground drainage systems for rapid water disposal, to stormwater management ponds, to today’s myriad of near-to-nature practices and technologies<ref name ="Fletcher" />. This paradigm shift could be explained by a change of perception about water from a waste to a resource. With this evolution comes the evolution of terminology to describe the latest visions, practices and technologies. </p>

The field of stormwater management has undergone considerable evolution in the last 40-50 years, from underground drainage systems for rapid water disposal, to stormwater management ponds, to today’s myriad of near-to-nature practices and technologies<ref name ="Fletcher" />. This paradigm shift could be explained by a change of perception about water from a waste to a resource. With this evolution comes the evolution of terminology to describe the latest visions, practices and technologies.

<p>There are various terms used in stormwater management related literature across the globe. Some terms differ only in their geography while others differ in their connotation. </p>

There are various terms used in stormwater management related literature across the globe. Some terms differ only in their geography while others differ in their connotation.

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<p>In many cases, the terms LID and GI are used interchangeably to describe an alternate management approach from the conventional ‘grey’ infrastructure approach. The inconsistent use of these two terms by different agencies and scholars across North America and other parts of the world contributes to the confusion already associated with these relatively new approaches to stormwater management. </p>

<p>In many cases, the terms LID and GI are used interchangeably to describe an alternate management approach from the conventional ‘grey’ infrastructure approach. The inconsistent use of these two terms by different agencies and scholars across North America and other parts of the world contributes to the confusion already associated with these relatively new approaches to stormwater management. </p>

<p>In this Low Impact Development (LID) Planning and Design guidance document we make a distinction between LID and GI on the grounds of geographic and structural (engineered) scales of classification and implementation.  

In thisguide we make a distinction between LID and GI on the grounds of geographic and structural (engineered) scales of classification and implementation.  

Traditionally, the term infrastructure connotes a requirement that is necessary to keep an urban center functional, while green space connotes a want, putting it at the bottom of priority lists. </p>

Traditionally, the term infrastructure connotes a requirement that is necessary to keep an urban center functional, while green space connotes a want, putting it at the bottom of priority lists.  

<p>The term GI emerged to put more emphasis on green space as a need rather than a want and elevate it within budget priority lists. As such, in addition to traditional water-related infrastructure, GI encompasses non-traditional infrastructure, such as:

The term GI emerged to put more emphasis on green space as a need rather than a want and elevate it within budget priority lists. As such, in addition to traditional water-related infrastructure, GI encompasses non-traditional infrastructure, such as:

*heritage features,

<li>heritage features,</li>

*parklands,

<li>parklands, </li>

*street trees,

<li>street trees, </li>

*natural channels, or

<li>natural channels, or </li>

in other words any natural(ized) green space.

in other words any natural(ized) green space. </p>