Purdue University Stormwater + Open Space Study West Lafayette, Indiana
Services Provided
Best Management Practices
Campus Planning
Sustainable Design & Green Infrastructure
People Involved
Eric Lucas
Jacob Deason
Awards
2024 APA-IN Hoosier Planning Award for Outstanding Economic Development
2024 APA-IN Hoosier Planning Award for Outstanding Transportation Planning
2023 INASLA Merit Award
Leveraging green infrastructure to improve stormwater management and open space networks
Following the completion of the 2018 Giant Leaps Master Plan, the departments of Campus Planning, Architecture, and Sustainability recognized the need for aligning their current campus-wide stormwater management initiatives with the 50-Year Vision. Similarly, the Physical Facilities 2020 Sustainability Master Plan oriented planned development considerations towards long-term sustainability goals; for instance: developing a strategy to eliminate the combined sewer overflow (CSO). MKSK led a team that included an ecological consultant, to identify opportunities for stormwater and green infrastructure implementation within capital priority projects. The goals therein were to define a strategy for stormwater best management practices (BMPs) at Purdue University and to conceptualize their application across priority campus spaces.
Working parallel to this study, Purdue conducted an evaluation and feasibility study of their existing stormwater infrastructure. MKSK led an investigation of this effort to align subgrade and above grade stormwater problems with prospective stormwater BMPs. However, defining a campus-wide stormwater solution strategy took a multi-solution approach; taking into account campus-wide landscape themes and landscape typologies for major and supportive campus spaces. The resultant framework outlined 20 suitable focus areas, and alluded to what kinds of BMPs and open space networks may be appropriate to recommend.
Foundational Studies
The project team worked together to characterize a Stormwater BMP Kit of Parts outlining functional, aesthetic, and feasible value best suited for Purdue University. The BMP functional character chosen, sought out reducing water runoff, cleaning water, enhancing habitat, and providing means of conveyance. The BMP types include: bioretention, rainwater harvesting and reuse, constructed wetlands, permeable pavement, landscape conversion, subsurface detention, subsurface infiltration, stormwater planters, riparian corridor enhancement, soil restoration, vegetated swale, infiltration berm, and downspout disconnect.
The focus area recommendations utilize the BMP Kit of Parts for applying stormwater and green infrastructure solutions across Purdue University. The comprehensive study provides university staff with a stormwater planning toolkit and a long-term strategy for stormwater management.
Stormwater BMP Kit of Parts
Each BMP type has been categorized by its functional character: Reduce, Clean, Convey and Enhance Habitat. The chart narrows down the BMP selection to those that would be appropriate to meet the need of a given site on campus.
Stormwater BMPs and Landscape Typologies Matrix
With an understanding of the site’s particular stormwater and open space needs, the stormwater BMPs and landscape typologies matrix aids the University in selecting appropriate stormwater BMPs for the given site context.
The Purdue Health and Life Sciences Mall and adjacent future Nursing and Pharmacy Building site is a Capital Priority Project scheduled for development in the near-term horizon. There is an opportunity to enhance the Mall and the Nursing and Pharmacy building site to promote Purdue’s open space network and mitigate existing stormwater problems in the area.
