Developing and evaluating multi-functional rain gardens

Rain gardens are shallow planted depressions in the ground that infiltrate, and evaporate urban rainwater. They are a kind of green infrastructure that provide an alternative to putting polluted urban runoff into the storm sewer system. The researchers will build and test new designs and installation methods for rain gardens. The new designs will incorporate habitat for bees and other pollinators and will use a mix of planted and seeded plants. The public will be shown pictures of the research rain gardens in an urban setting and asked to give their opinions as to which ones they prefer. The costs of installation and maintenance of each of the rain gardens will be recorded and compared.

Faculty Supervisor:

Patrick Mooney

Student:

Duncan Chambers

Partner:

van der Zalm + Associates

Discipline:

Architecture and design

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of British Columbia