FLASHBACK: Cross-Border Alignment: Connecting the Dots Between Land Use Planning, Development, Watershed Health AND Infrastructure Management
Rainwater-in-Context Initiative
Formed in 2010, the Rainwater-in-Context Initiative is a sub-committee of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU). In the United States, the CNU is the leading organization promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.
Towards Sustainable Rainwater Management
“Federal, state, and local stormwater/rainwater regulations are very site-oriented rather than watershed or context-oriented. The stormwater/rainwater industry is making a major positive shift to source-control practices, but in so doing, are pushing the site-specific agenda,” states Colorado-based Paul Crabtree, the leader of the Rainwater-in-Context Initiative.
“That one-size-fits all sites approach often ignores the watershed scale, and can have unintended negative consequences in regards to infill, 
redevelopment, and compact urbanism in general. The standards are typically easily achieved on low-density site and can be quite onerous on compact urban sites.”
“A key goal of the Rainwater-in-Context Initiative is to help get the United States on the correct path for sustainable rainwater/stormwater management practices.”
To Learn More:
To read the complete story posted elsewhere on the Rainwater Management community-of-interest in 2011, click on Cross-Border Alignment: Connecting the Dots Between Land Use Planning, Development, Watershed Health AND Infrastructure Management
The View from British Columbia
“Our purpose in posting the article in 2011 was to provide a consolidated reference for a number of articles posted on the waterbucket.ca website. Their significance lies in the way they connect the dots between recent developments in the United States and initiatives that are underway in British Columbia,” states Kim Stephens, Executive Director of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia.
“A key message for our British Columbia audience is that we are observing a convergence of understanding. On both sides of the 49th parallel, light bulbs are going on about the inter-connectedness of green infrastructure and water sustainability, and the implications for watershed health. Two recent developments in the United States have caught our attention: the Rainwater-in-Context Initiative; and the Urban Water Sustainability Leadership Conference held in Philadelphia.”