Peoria's new stormwater farm takes the pressure off its outdated combined sewer system. It's part of a larger effort by the city to align green infrastructure with social equity goals.
Peoria, Illinois is home to one of the nation's first stormwater farms, the Well Farm at Voris Field. It was designed "to capture water runoff from a 1.55-acre area, to prevent an estimated 1.3 million gallons of stormwater from entering the city's combined sewer system each year," Emily Nonko writes. In 2019, following a rainy start to the year, about 1.1 million gallons of rainwater were diverted to the farm.
Prone to overflow, Peoria's combined sewers have yet to comply with the Clean Water Act. "At a local level, formalizing this plan with the EPA will help the city avoid penalties for water pollution. On a larger scale, Peoria wants to show that the 'paradigm shift' from gray to green infrastructure is not only effective but provides opportunities for equity and resiliency," Nonko writes.
Nonko discusses a number of related pilot projects that the city's pursuing to align green infrastructure with social equity, including a green streets program and paid apprenticeships for youth.
FULL STORY: In Peoria, Green Infrastructure As a Path to Social Equity
How US Communities Are Building Resilience Against Flooding
Flooding causes over $400 billion in damage in the United States every year.
Study: D.C.’s Poorest Neighborhoods Are Most Vulnerable to Stormwater
Lack of gray and green infrastructure in the city’s densest communities, particularly in historically Black Southeast D.C., has led to higher amounts of flooding in those neighborhoods.
Opinion: Cities Need Green Infrastructure to Weather Future Storms
How ‘sponge cities’ can protect residents and conserve water.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service