The communities in and around Pittsburgh are in urgent need of widespread improvements to reduce impermeability and address ongoing issues caused by sewage overflows and failing infrastructure. To help relieve pressure on the city’s systems and make room for the natural water cycle, we created a bioswale by raising pavers into standing tables.
The interventions functions to : decreases sewer overflow volumes, indirectly reduces total sewershed nutrient pollution during a storm event ; root and above ground vegetation increases friction thus decreasing water flow velocity - delays peak run off ; vegetation decreases transport of sediment, nutrients, and contaminants ; increased root stability counters soil erosion ; replenishes groundwater table ; improves soil quality.
Integration of Native Trees and Plants : Button bush x 2 ; Winterberry poppins x 1 ; Little Henry sweetspire x 3 ; Swamp milkweed x 4 ; Beauty berry pearl glam x 3 ; Nemo astilbe x 3 ; Brilliance autumn fern x 11 ; Sweet woodruff x 3
Carnegie Mellon University ; Spring 2023
Professors: Steve Lee