Low Impact Development

What is Low Impact Development (LID)?

Low Impact Development or LID is an innovative approach to land development that mimics the natural movement of water in order to manage stormwater (rainwater and urban runoff) close to where the rain falls. LID benefits could include:

  • Stormwater volume control
  • Flood reduction
  • Water quality protection and improvement
  • Infrastructure savings
  • Increased property values
  • Reduced urban heat island effects

The role of LID in the City of Windsor’s Climate Change Adaptation Planning

The recently approved 2020 Climate Change Adaptation Plan speaks to the importance of managing increasing precipitation in part through enhancing the use of LID in both private and public areas. As mentioned above, LIDs have a number of co-benefits including reducing the urban heat island effect, which is another impact addressed in the Climate Change Adaptation Plan.

What are LID Best Practices?

The most commonly adopted stormwater LID practices include the following:

Rain garden info

Examples of LID Projects in Windsor

LID practices have been gradually adopted in the City of Windsor to deal with stormwater management issues, most of which are within the city’s parks, road right-of-ways and some private land developments.

  • Climate Resilient Home: At this home, the downspouts have been disconnected and a rain garden was designed in the front yard to reduce runoff from half of the roof, while an infiltration trench was installed in the side yard to accommodate sump pump discharge and other half of the roof runoff.
  • Matthew Brady (Edgar to Tranby): The recent sewer reconstruction on Matthew Brady incorporates perforated pipe system underneath the standard storm sewer. This perforated pipe system allows minor storms to drain to the natural soils. Larger storms overflow into the traditional storm sewer system.
  • Belle-Isle View (Wyandotte to St. Rose): Sewer improvements on Belle Isle View included the construction of storm exfiltration trenches behind the curb on both sides of the street. Stormwater entering into the catch basins flows to the exfiltration trench; once filled, stormwater overflows to the traditional storm sewer system.
  • Tranby Park: To accommodate road reconstruction on Tranby and manage increasing storm flows, Tranby Park was redeveloped with a number of LID features including a permeable pavement parking lot, enhanced grass swale and a dry pond.

  • Ojibway Nature Centre: The Ojibway Nature Centre has the most visible green roof in the city. But, it is not the only city facility to have a green roof: City Hall, Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant and the Bistro also have green roofs.



    For more information on environmental initiatives: 

    Phone: For general information, call 311. For detailed inquiries, call 519-255-6100 ext. 6127.

    E-mail: emp@citywindsor.ca