Low-Impact Design (LID) Workgroup

Photograph by: Teresa Kwiatek
UConn, Storrs

  Workgroup Goals

Low impact development is a key component of UConn’s commitment to sustainable management and growth.   The Office of Environmental Policy (OEP) and the Land Use & Sustainable Development Subcommittee is pursuing many initiatives to reduce environmental degradation and encourage smart building throughout campus.   Current workgroup goals include:

1. Identify opportunities to further incorporate low-impact design components in the University's current construction and renovation projects.
   
   
2. Record and photo-document storm water management practices currently employed at the University to demonstrate compliance and best practices.
   
   
3. Explore the potential for implementing "green roofs" at various locations, including the new library at the Avery Point campus and the new Bolton Road parking garage.
   
   
4. Serve as an advisory figure in the upcoming North Campus planning process, guiding UConn’s growth while remaining sensitive to our environmental “footprint.” 
   
   
   

 Initiatives and Progress

• In March 2007, the University of Connecticut adopted an additional Sustainable Design & Construction Policy, which specifies the University's objectives to plan, design, construct, renovate and maintain sustainable, energy- and water-efficient buildings
  
  
• Raingardens: With faculty from the Department of Natural Resources Management & Engineering and staff from the Cooperative Extension System, the LID workgroup has successfully recommended that rain gardens be installed to alleviate stormwater runoff in the apartments. The gardens' implementation is currently being documented with high-resolution digital imagery.
  
  
• Composting: A final proposal is being discussed for consideration of a pilot Compost Technology Center. This compost facility would be smaller than a full-sized production facility planned for later stages, but will initially serve to compost landscaping and animal wastes collected from campus activities.
     
  
• Burton Family Football Complex Mark R. Shenkman Training Center: Construction is being documented on a bi-weekly to monthly basis to ensure compliance and allow for opportunities to suggest low-impact design elements.
      
• The North Hillside Road Extension Project:  The University is working with Fuss & O'Neill, the project's environmental consultants, to outline an implementation plan including low-impact development features relating to site selection, promotion of alternative transportation, sustainable management and re-use of stormwater, overall water efficient design and light pollution reduction. For more details, please see the Project Profile below.
  
  
• Arjona-Monteith and Torrey Life Sciences Renovation Projects: The Office of Environmental Policy has submitted applications for Kresge grant funding to support the inclusion of green building materials in both of these construction projects.
         

 Recent Workgroup Members

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