The First Thirty Years of Green Stormwater Infrastructure in Portland, Oregon

Michaela Koucka, Cara Poor (), Jordyn Wolfand, Heejun Chang, Vivek Shandas, Adrienne Aiona, Henry Stevens, Tim Kurtz, Svetlana Hedin, Steve Fancher, Joshua Lighthipe and Adam Zucker
Additional contact information
Michaela Koucka: Faculty of Architecture, Czech Technical University, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Cara Poor: Shiley School of Engineering, University of Portland, Portland, OR 97203, USA
Jordyn Wolfand: Shiley School of Engineering, University of Portland, Portland, OR 97203, USA
Heejun Chang: Department of Geography, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
Vivek Shandas: Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207, USA
Adrienne Aiona: City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland, OR 97204, USA
Henry Stevens: City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland, OR 97204, USA
Tim Kurtz: City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland, OR 97204, USA
Svetlana Hedin: City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland, OR 97204, USA
Steve Fancher: City of Gresham, Gresham, OR 97030, USA
Joshua Lighthipe: KPFF, Portland, OR 97204, USA
Adam Zucker: Zucker Engineering, LLC, Portland, OR 97214, USA

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-23

Abstract: Over the past 30 years, the City of Portland, Oregon, USA, has emerged as a national leader in green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). The initial impetus for implementing sustainable stormwater infrastructure in Portland stemmed from concerns about flooding and water quality in the city’s two major rivers, the Columbia and the Willamette. Heavy rainfall often led to combined sewer overflows, significantly polluting these waterways. A partial solution was the construction of “The Big Pipe” project, a large-scale stormwater containment system designed to filter and regulate overflow. However, Portland has taken a more comprehensive and long-term approach by integrating sustainable stormwater management into urban planning. Over the past three decades, the city has successfully implemented GSI to mitigate these challenges. Low-impact development strategies, such as bioswales, green streets, and permeable surfaces, have been widely adopted in streetscapes, pathways, and parking areas, enhancing both environmental resilience and urban livability. This perspective highlights the history of the implementation of Portland’s GSI programs, current design and performance standards, and challenges and lessons learned throughout Portland’s recent history. Innovative approaches to managing runoff have not only improved stormwater control but also enhanced green spaces and contributed to the city’s overall climate resilience while addressing economic well-being and social equity. Portland’s success is a result of strong policy support, effective integration of green and gray infrastructure, and active community involvement. As climate change intensifies, cities need holistic, adaptive, and community-centered approaches to urban stormwater management. Portland’s experience offers valuable insights for cities seeking to expand their GSI amid growing concerns about climate resilience, equity, and aging infrastructure.

Keywords: green stormwater infrastructure (GSI); stormwater management; combined sewer overflows (CSOs); nature-based solutions; water quality; climate resilience (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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