What is green infrastructure also known as?

Green infrastructure is often referred to as low-impact design because it incorporates strategies that manage rainfall and stormwater in a way that mimics natural systems. This approach emphasizes the importance of integrating natural processes into urban environments to promote environmental sustainability and resilience.

Low-impact design techniques can include permeable pavements, green roofs, rain gardens, and other landscape features that reduce runoff, enhance water quality, and improve the ecological health of urban areas. This terminology reflects the design philosophy aimed at minimizing environmental harm while optimizing the functionality and aesthetics of spaces.

The other terms, while related to sustainability and design, do not specifically capture the essence of how green infrastructure functions in relation to hydrology and ecological systems. Sustainable design broadly encompasses a wide range of strategies aimed at reducing environmental impact across various aspects, while eco-friendly engineering focuses on the development of technologies that reduce harm to the environment. Conventional infrastructure, on the other hand, typically refers to traditional engineering solutions that do not prioritize ecological functions, often resulting in higher levels of urban runoff and environmental degradation.