Office of Green Infrastructure Research & Design

Project Description

In 2009, recognizing the potential to apply green infrastructure strategies in addition to grey infrastructure to improve water quality in New York Harbor, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) developed a citywide Green Infrastructure (GI) program. The program included green infrastructure strategies such as biofiltration systems, detention/retention systems, green and blue roofs, porous pavement, and constructed wetlands.

As part of a multi-disciplinary team led by Arcadis, Biohabitats is working with the City to implement that plan. Building upon ongoing monitoring and data collection by DEP and others, the team is providing research and development related to more than 20 constructed pilot projects. Goals include expanding and improving DEP’s monitoring program and developing and implementing a GI Monitoring Protocol; developing data-driven recommendations for the GI program at multiple scales in various conditions; preparing cost analyses of current and proposed GI designs; developing guidance regarding maintenance; providing recommendations for improving the performance of GI practices; and evaluating and quantifying co-benefits.