The city of East Lansing is experiencing historic rainfall events, leading to the flooding of residences and causing road closures. The increase of downpours–due to the combination of climate change and urban expansion–will no doubt increase demand for flood protection and mitigation. Therefore, identifying flood-prone areas and working toward more efficient stormwater management strategies is crucial. Catalyst Leadership Circle Fellow Pradip Shrestha developed a methodology for impervious surface mapping, utilizing a Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)-based approach that manages stormwater at its source and abates channel erosion and pollutant runoff without adding to the carbon footprint. Shrestha developed a multi-layered dataset displaying parcel-level imperviousness that can aid in GSI suitability and resiliency planning initiatives. Additionally, the dataset could serve as a baseline for urban landscape research and planning, and support the development of a consistent and defendable stormwater utility program elsewhere.

• Location: East Lansing, MI
• Project Team: Pradip Shrestha (Fellow), University of Michigan, School for Environment and Sustainability; Cliff Walls (Mentor), City of East Lansing; Donald D. Carpenter (Technical Advisor), Drummond Carpenter; Shannon Brines (Technical Advisor), University of Michigan

Project Presentation

Project Report