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Effectiveness of Low Impact Development Practices: Literature Review and Suggestions for Future Research

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Abstract

Low impact development (LID) is a land development strategy for managing stormwater at the source with decentralized micro-scale control measures. Since the emergence of LID practices, they have been successfully used to manage stormwater runoff, improve water quality, and protect the environment. However, discussions still surround the effectiveness of many of these practices, resulting in a reluctance to widely adopt them. This paper highlights evidence in the literature regarding the beneficial uses of LID practices. A discussion of how LID practices are represented in hydrologic/water quality models is also provided using illustrative examples of three computational models developed with algorithms and modules to support widespread adoption of LID practices. Finally, the paper suggests directions for future research opportunities.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) - College Program Research and Outreach Development and Capacity Building Projects. We also gratefully appreciate the fellowship of the National Science Foundation-East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) for U.S. Graduate Students.

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Ahiablame, L.M., Engel, B.A. & Chaubey, I. Effectiveness of Low Impact Development Practices: Literature Review and Suggestions for Future Research. Water Air Soil Pollut 223, 4253–4273 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-012-1189-2

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