The East Neighborhood at Michigan State University's East Lansing campus consists of impervious pavements, open lawns, and outdated infrastructure. Due to weather conditions becoming increasingly severe each year, flooding occurs and rainwater runoff does not easily go away. We plan to inspire future generations of Spartan students with Green Infrastructure and soft engineering in order to combat the climate crisis. The objective of this project is to develop an innovative and sustainable stormwater management plan for Michigan State University's East Neighborhood while inspiring future generations of Spartans to implement green infrastructure. 

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Description of the Problem: 

Stormwater Runoff and Flooding: East Neighborhood is susceptible to stormwater runoff issues. These issues lead to localized flooding during heavy rain events. This poses safety hazards, high potential for infrastructure damage, and inconvenience to residents. This greatly affects the overall livability and functionality of the area. Increased nonpermeable surfaces have contributed to sedimentation in the nearby Red Cedar River and an overall decline in water quality.

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Sustainability and Resilience: The neighborhood lacks sustainable and resilient design features to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and shifting precipitation patterns. There is an urgent need to enhance the neighborhood's capacity to adapt to these environmental challenges.

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Education and Functionality: The neighborhood is filled with classrooms and help centers, but there is minimal signage around the neighborhood informing the population about the existing site and its history. Also, the site sidewalks serve the clear function of directing people to the bus stops and bike parking. 

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The objective of this project is to develop an innovative and sustainable stormwater management plan for Michigan State University's East Neighborhood. The design addresses the following key goals:

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Improved Air Quality: Implement green infrastructure that works to scrub carbon dioxide from the air around the site location. The infrastructure should be self-sustaining, requiring little to no maintenance aside from winterization. 

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Effective Stormwater Management: Create a comprehensive stormwater management system that minimizes runoff, reduces flooding, and ensures proper drainage during heavy rain events, enhancing the safety and functionality of the East Neighborhood.

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Erosion Control and Water Quality Improvement: Implement erosion control measures, such as vegetative buffers, and incorporate biofiltration elements to improve water quality and reduce sedimentation in nearby water bodies, contributing to a healthier environment.

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Sustainable Design: Integrate sustainable landscape design principles, such as the use of native plants, permeable surfaces, and rain gardens, to enhance the neighborhood's sustainability, reduce heat island effects, and promote biodiversity.

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Resilience to Climate Change: Design for resilience by considering the impacts of climate change, including increased precipitation and extreme weather events. The landscape should be adaptable and resilient to these challenges.

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Community Engagement: Engage the East Neighborhood community, including residents, faculty, and students, in the design process to ensure that the final plan aligns with their needs and aspirations for the area.

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Educational and Recreational Opportunities: Create spaces within the landscape design that can serve as educational tools for students and the community, showcasing the importance of sustainable stormwater management and ecological stewardship. Additionally, provide recreational spaces that enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood.