It's Easy Being Green: Chicago's Alleys Get a Makeover
The City of Chicago can be used as an example of how pervious pavement can be incorporated into city infrastructure. This Center for American Progress report highlights Chicago’s Green Alley program, which is working to resurface all of the city’s 2,000 miles of alleys with pervious pavement to reduce stormwater runoff and promote infiltration. The project is being used as a model for other cities looking for more sustainable approaches to developing infrastructure.
The report highlights the most significant features of the project as well as public reactions, giving readers an opportunity to evaluate the city’s intentions behind the project and how effective it has been.
Chicago’s Green Alley program is a good example of how sustainability principles can easily be incorporated into city planning and urban development. The report is geared toward the general public, but it can serve as a good reference point for city officials looking to find strong case studies for developing green infrastructure.
Water from precipitation that flows over nonporous surfaces into sewer systems or receiving water bodies.The system of land, natural resources, and natural habitats that collectively comprise a community's underlying ecosystem. Green Infrastructure is present in every city, although its size, diversity, and strength vary greatly. Importantly, green infrastructure can be used to help offset negative environmental impacts, for example stormwater runoff and urban heat island effect.
