Development can increase impervious surfaces (streets, driveways, parking lots, sidewalks). This increases stormwater runoff. Low Impact Development reduces impervious surfaces compared to traditional development.
Low Impact Development mimics the natural water cycle as much as possible, keeping water on site and allowing it to soak into the ground. This decreases negative impacts on downstream water resources. It uses landscape features that hold and filter stormwater while offering space for increased vegetation.
These practices can be applied to open spaces, rooftops, parking lots, sidewalks and medians. With proper planning and construction, Low Impact Development can be used on a communitywide scale.