An economic development that accompanies reckless urbanization has been destroying our environment. Especially, the area covered with impervious surfaces such as concrete and cement is rapidly increasing, obstructing the flow of water. This doesn’t only block the penetration of rainwater on the ground but causes rainwater to sweep pollutants on the road and earth surface, eventually flowing into the drainpipe. Accordingly, these pollutants end up in rivers, and cause flooding as it exceeds the capacity of drainage systems.

These problems led people to focus on eco-friendly urban development in order to build a more sustainable city. In light of this, I’d like to introduce one of the methods to pursue an eco-friendly development: low-impact development. This method aims to assimilate the rainwater cycle to that of predevelopment of the city by installing assistant structures and making rainwater to penetrate the ground and be filtered until it becomes an undercurrent. 

There are some characteristics of the low-impact development and first is that it reduces nonpoint pollution. Nonpoint pollution means pollution caused by diffuse and nonspecific sources such as precipitation, land runoff, drainage, and atmospheric deposition. It could also reduce the amount of polluted rainwater flowing into the river when raining or flooding, and filters pollutants when flooding. Furthermore, it preserves trees and forests and provides habitat to animals, prevents desertification of cities, and reduces areas of impervious surfaces. 

In conclusion, low-impact development of rainwater cycling in the cities minimizes human impact on the environment and maintains a sustainable system of nature. In my next month’s free report, I will introduce actual examples and applications of low-impact development. 

Citation

“Basic Information about Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 10 Aug. 2018, www.epa.gov/nps/basic-information-about-nonpoint-source-nps-pollution.