Week 1

Week One Progress:

This week we learned a lot about what a GSI system is and why they are necessary. We were assigned to find an area that needs GSI systems to improve the runoff from storm-water and the appearance of the area. After walking around the city for we found an area that we thought would benefit from GSI systems. This area is on 16th and Market Street and is right across from city hall. Since this area is seen by a lot of people it would be beneficial to have it looking more attractive than it currently does. This area has a large concrete surface surrounded by large buildings. The surrounding streets have shoulders that cannot be parked on and are used for loading areas. When we visited we found a large puddle left over from the rain storm that had happened a few days prior.

We figured that many GSI systems could be used in this area. The roadside green spaces that jut into the street could be used on the shoulder since the space is not used for parking. There are also tree trenches that are next to the sidewalk that we could utilize by removing some of the curb and allowing the runoff to flow into the trenches. The large concrete area would also benefit from having GSIs. As you can see in our picture, the water collects on this concrete and has no where to go. We thought about adding pourous concrete or a rain garden to collect the storm-water. We are also considering adding green roofs to the buildings surrounding this site. 

Figure 1: Puddle at site 

Figure 2: View of site from street

Figure 3: View of street near site