What is Low-Impact Development (LID) in site design?

• A. A stormwater management approach that uses distributed, on-site controls like bioswales, pervious pavements, and retention features to mimic natural hydrology.
• B. High-rise development.
• C. Indoor air quality measures.
• D. None.

Answer: (A)

Low-Impact Development focuses on managing rainfall at the site by mimicking natural hydrology through small, distributed practices rather than relying on one large drainage system. It uses on-site controls like bioswales, pervious pavements, and retention features to slow, store, infiltrate, and treat runoff close to where it falls. This approach reduces peak flows, protects downstream waterways, and helps water quality by filtering pollutants before water leaves the site. It’s a holistic strategy for sustainable site design, rather than a measure of indoor air quality, or simply unrelated development like high-rise projects, or an option labeled as none.