SALT designed multiple Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) installations in the City of Philadelphia to advance the mission of the Green City, Clean Waters initiative. Working through an On-Call team for PWD, SALT developed and designed surface expression of stormwater management for several sites in Northern Liberties, an active residential neighborhood northeast of downtown Philadelphia. The sites provide different opportunities for design interventions based on site context and characteristics. Stormwater Management Practices (SMPs) include stormwater planters, rain gardens, depaving, and permeable pavers. These installations provide significant benefits for the neighborhood, including on-site capture and infiltration of stormwater, water quality improvements, reduced stormwater discharge into storm sewers and CSOs, additional tree canopy cover, and reduced impervious area through depaving to help reduce urban heat island effect. In addition to the significant ecological and financial benefits, these GSI designs increase the aesthetic value of each site, transforming gray, lifeless areas of concrete and asphalt into rich, textured landscapes with colorful, layered habitats of native plants.

Client: Philadelphia Water Department

Status: Construction Completed 2020

Collaborators: Gilmore & Associates