Abstract

Implementing Green Infrastructure: Leveraging GIS for Better Decisions
Track: Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater
Authors: Michael Amodeo

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's Watershed Assessment identifies opportunities for stormwater and sewer improvement projects. Through the use of GIS, the Watershed Assessments have identified areas of need and optimal solutions to maintain the city's level of service goals. By compiling one comprehensive database, GIS has enabled the integration of previously disparate data layers to realize opportunities and synergies across disciplines. Innovative analysis has created new data layers to better inform the planning process and the implementation of green infrastructure to treat stormwater and protect the water quality of surrounding water bodies. Using interpolation tools, a soil permeability layer was created to identify areas where infiltration-based techniques would be most effective; analysis of existing street features data identified underutilized right-of-way for the placement of streetscape green infrastructure while maintaining street functions; a web mapping application built with ESRI Server and Microsoft Silverlight technology enables data-sharing across the project team.