Case  Study  6    

Name:  Watersheds,  Walkabilty  and  Density   Designer:  N/A   Date:  N/A   Cost:  N/A   Funding  Notes:  N/A    

Summary:  

This  is  a  far-­‐reaching  article  that  examines  the  intersection  between  density,   stormwater  and  planning.  The  author  points  out  the  real  need  for  planning  at  the   watershed  level,  while  also  admitting  the  difficulty  of  implementing  regulation  at   this  scale.  The  importance  of  imperviousness  in  determining  watershed  health  is   also  noted,  along  with  a  visual  representation  of  the  Impervious  Cover  Model  (ICM)   developed  by  the  Center  for  Watershed  Protection.  A  proposal  is  offered  to  base   stormwater  regulations  on  a  per  capita  basis,  which  is  not  germane  to  the  situation   at  the  Assembly.  There  is  an  explanation  of  the  Dwelling  Units  per  Acre  (DUA)   measurement  and  its  relation  to  true  density.  The  author  argues  for  the  benefits  of   density,  which,  while  undoubtedly  true,  is  hard  to  argue  in  relation  to  the  unique   situation  at  the  Assembly.    The  author  also  gives  us  the  following  quote,  which,   while  harsh,  is  also  very  true:   “That  suburban  or  urban  development  can  in  any  sense  be  “low  impact”  is  an   illusion  that  may  distort  how  we  think  about  best  management  practices,   particularly  in  thinking  about  the  best  context  for  each  one.”  

Relevance  to  Lake  Junaluska  Redesign:  

“The  ultimate  stormwater  practice  is  to  build  a  better  place.”   This  is  another  quote  from  the  article,  but  one  with  a  more  positive  shine,  and  one   that  points  out  the  true  goal  of  this  project.  We  have  already  impacted  the   environment  with  the  choices  of  the  past.  Now,  our  job  is  to  improve  the  ecological   functioning  of  the  site  and  make  it  more  human-­‐friendly.     On  a  more  technical  level,  the  article  provides  some  metrics  to  use  (ICM  and  DUA)  as   we  measure  the  existing  impact  on  the  site  and  devise  methods  for  reducing  that   impact.      

Sources:     Jacob,  John  S.  "Watersheds,  Walkability,  and  Stormwater."  Stormwater  Jan.-­‐Feb.   2011:  32-­‐40.  Print.