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Conference abstract2015

Implementation of Low Impact Design (LID) in Russia

Bashkirov, Andrei; Shevliakov, Sergei; Pette, Biana; Irishina, Evgenia; Eriksson, Tuula; Ignatieva, Maria

Abstract

Low Impact Design (LID) is an environmentally friendly ecological design approach aimed at managing urban stormwater and promoting biodiversity. Originating in the US. Ecological Stormwater Management (ESM) is a similar method applied in other parts of the world. LID/ESM approaches call for alternative, cost-effective urban design and development that involves designing and working with nature - creating urban plant communities that respect, conserve and enhance natural processes. In Northern Europe (Sweden, Finland and North- West) as well as regions of the Russian Federation, due to lower winter temperatures and often large amount of snow, LID/ESM requires adjustments to the local environment as well as consideration of cultural preferences. These countries however do not have a severe problem with invasive species due to cold climate, compare to other parts of the world, for example in New Zealand or Australia. In this presentation we discuss the only implementation of LID ecological design in the Russian Federation specifically within the area of Novoe Devyatkino, a suburb of St. Petersburg. Novoe Devyatkino consists of multistory apartment residential buildings with common green areas where LID devices such as rain gardens and alternative lawns (meadows) had been introduced. Realizing that LID requires an interdisciplinary approach, social research (questionnaires, interviews and observation studies) were also conducted in the summer of 2014. The analysis of these questionnaires has shown the importance of water (lake) as well as nearby areas. Majority of people valued the lake as a major attraction and expressed a need in the development and improvement of the shoreline. People found rain gardens very attractive and were satisfied with their appearance and conditions. Citizens also appreciate lawns for walks with their children and dogs, sport exercises and even feeding ducks. An economic research comparing costs of design and implementation of traditional waterstorm management practice and LID practice (rain gardens and swales) clearly indicated that rain gardens are much cheaper and do not need special legal agreements (fig.1). They help to decrease the pressure on Conventional Local Cleaning Facilities (CLCF) for up to 80-90% of surface water. Rain garden is in itself a landscape architecture design element compared to CLCF which need special landscape architecture considerations. The cost of creating the rain garden was 1557 rubles (including plant material) compare to 1862 rubles per hectare for conventional facilities (not including design, legal negotiations and 23 plant material costs). The management costs of LID new devices are also very low compare to traditional methods. One of the conclusions of this project was that conventional thinking is still strong in Russia but young administrators are more open to new innovative designs especially when they can see an economic profit. For success of the new LID practice it is crucial to educate contractors and implementation teams in the "right" management approach. There is a positive attitude of local citizens toward this innovative landscape architecture practice which is allows for the introduction LID in to a wider urban context within Russia. Rain gardens are much cheaper and do not need special legal agreements, they help decrease the pressure to CLCF for up to 80-90% of surface water. Rain garden is in itself a LA design element compared to CLCF which need a special LA design considerations

Keywords

Low impact design, urban biodiversity

Published in

Title: History of the Future: proceedings of the 52nd World Congress of the International Federation of Landscape Architects
Publisher: Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg State Polytechnic University Polytechnic University Publishing House

Conference

52nd World Congress of the International Federation of Landscape Architects