Soft Engineering for Healthier Ecosystems
Low Impact Development at Markham Square
What if storm water infrastructure could enhance Conway’s urban ecosystems and provide beautiful spaces for recreation and play?
At Markham Square, these low impact development techniques were used as the foundational design approach to mitigate flooding while providing an opportunity for living systems to treat and clean storm water runoff.
Permeable Paving
Allows water to flow through hardscape and infiltrate into the ground, removing sediment and trapping pollution
Infiltration Basin
Large, shallow grassy areas with permeable soils designed to temporarily detain and infiltrate storm water runoff
Rain Gardens
Vegetated depression designed to treat water as it passes through roots and soil and infiltrate the ground
Bioswales
Planted depressions designed to treat water through phytoremediation as it is conveyed farther downstream
Vegetated Walls
Utilize vertical water harvesting to treat water and reduce storm water runoff loads
Make sure to visit Markham Square after a rain event to see these low impact development features in action as they work together to absorb rain water, slow flooding, and filter out pollutants.