This document describes the Houston Land/Water Sustainability Forum, which brings together organizations interested in sustainable land and water use. It held a design competition to promote low-impact development techniques. The competition had categories for green roadway design, urban redevelopment, and suburban residential development. It attracted many design firms and professionals. The final event showcased top designs and got positive feedback, showing that low-impact development can effectively manage stormwater, improve water quality, and lower costs compared to traditional approaches. The forum aims to advance sustainable practices through education and collaboration.

1. Houston Land/Water Sustainability Forum

2. The Steering CommitteeThose with a ‘Vested Interest’US GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL-HOUSTON AREA CHAPTER INTERNATIONAL EROSION CONTROL ASSOCIATION-SOUTH CENTRAL CHAPTER ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA-HOUSTON CHAPTER AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-HOUSTON HOUSTON COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS-HOUSTONAMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS-HOUSTON/GULF COASTTEXAS COASTAL WATERSHED PROGRAM CITY OF HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS & ENGINEERING CITY OF HOUSTON MAYOR’S OFFICEHOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE DIVISION HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICTBAYOU PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION ENERGY CORRIDOR DISTRICT GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

3. A Common UnderstandingCosts of traditional development are soaring

4. Developing ‘the way we’ve always done it’ is more and more counterproductive

5. Costs of keeping pace with results of traditional development becoming major problem

6. Change is inevitable

7. Leadership role is better than the alternative “OUR MISSION IS TO ENHANCE, ENABLE AND INTEGRATE SUSTAINABLE USE OF LAND AND WATER FOR THE HOUSTON AREA'S CONTINUED GROWTH AND ECONOMIC VITALITY."

8. GoalDrive the widespread adoption, adaptation and implementation of sustainable development practicesLow Impact Development (LID)●Green Infrastructure

9. Low Impact Development (LID)Hydrology as the organizing principalDisconnectIncrease Time of ConcentrationInfiltrateReduce runoffMimic natural cycleClean storm water passivelyTreat, infiltrate or use it on site

10. Low Impact Development (LID)Micro-scale, decentralized water management180° shift from centralized approachWater management in the landscapeRain gardens (bioretention cell), bioiswales, bio-filtration, etc. (unlimited IMPs)

11. A Gap that Needed to be FilledGaps between disciplinesIntegrated design teams limitedGaps in educationFocus on our soils, climate, topographyFocus on ‘nuts & bolts’ Practical application rather than the theoretical Driven by ‘enlightened self-interest’ Inherent staying power

12. HLWSF Founded 2007‘True test’ of the Steering Committee

13. Programming on sustainable development

14. ‘Levelers’

15. Workshops

16. Local Case Histories

17. Program facilities inevitably filled to capacity

18. 100 to 400 seat rooms

19. Education is good, but ‘hands on’ is better

20. Getting to the next level

21. Making it CountRequire integrated design teams

22. Use real properties with challenging conditions

23. Allows reusable design and viable LID adaptations

24. Require cost comparison of LID to Traditional design

25. Provides viable numbers for value comparison

26. Use key ‘Drivers’ for Judges and Jury Panel

27. Educate key market players as part of the processProperty Donors

28. Competition Property Donors

29. Prize Donors

30. Competition Prize Donors

31. All the Key Players

32. Competition UnderwritersTerry Hershey

33. Driving ParticipationUse constituent groups’ drawing power

34. High-dollar cash prizes

35. Design Challenges that generate greatest interest

36. Properties with owners who want LID

37. Name-value stage one Judges