Natural drainage techniques reduced engineering costs in one South Carolina case study by 31 percent over conventional methods. New Urbanists are searching for ways to make this the norm.
The study, led by Tom Low of Duany, Plater-Zyberk & Company's Charlotte, South Carolina office, looked at the financial effect of introducing a natural drainage system in the first phase of a 42-acre traditional neighborhood development, Griffin Park in Greenville County. The resultant 31 percent savings didn't surprise Low, who said "because much of what's been written about low-impact development has been based on large-lot conventional suburban subdivisions," that "there's a pressing need for information on how to blend natural drainage and New Urbanism."
Thanks to Gayle Ross
FULL STORY: Natural drainage systems can cut NU’' development costs
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Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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