Green Sponge Will Clean Contaminants Entering NYC Waterway

Matt Sledge profiles the work of a landscape architect who has designed an attractive and innovative system for keeping contaminants out of one of New York's most polluted waterways.

1 minute read

February 10, 2012, 7:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj

In New York, and cities across the country with combined sewage overflow systems, the aftermath of a severe rain event is a toxic sludge of untreated wastewater entering the city's rivers and harbors. As these events become more common and intense, due to global warming, cities are searching for innovative ways to prevent such overflows, without having to construct entirely new systems of stormwater piping.

Currently being implemented along the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, Sponge Park, is the product of landscape architect Susannah Drake and is seen as "part of a larger effort underway in New York to use "green infrastructure" instead of costly pipes and tunnels hidden underground to catch storm runoff. City officials are hopeful they can save some $2.4 billion over 20 years, while also sprucing up the city's open spaces, with the new approach to sewage."

Sledge profiles Drake's innovative design and assesses the potential for New York to replicate the program elsewhere.

"If New York City can mass produce bioswales and other green infrastructure quickly enough, it may be able to save billions on what [New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Carter] Strickland calls 'tanks and tunnels,' which in turn lead to extremely expensive sewage treatment plants."

FULL STORY: Gowanus Canal To Feature 'Sponge Park' Green Infrastructure

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 in Huffington Post

Landscape Architecture New York New York City Brooklyn Stormwater Management Susannah Drake. Gowanus Canal Bioswales Sponge Park View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.