The Framework of GSI Practice
An organizing framework for GSI principles, best practices, and case studies designed to help local governments and stormwater agencies across the U.S. and Canada build strong GSI programs.
Rationale
Every discipline needs to codify its standards!
Innovators should precisely define the field they have targeted for change or emergence, starting with its basic conceptual frameworks and existing practices …. With such a framework in place, innovators are then able to develop roadmaps for how they will influence the field over the long term.
~ P. Plastrik, et.al. Connect, Innovate, Scale-Up: How Networks Create Systems Change (2022).
The Framework
Organizing GSI’s principles and best practices
Scaling up GSI as a practice requires an organizing framework. The members of the Exchange are actively building the framework shown at right. The framework is both (1) an outline of the steps members believe local governments and stormwater agencies must follow to create strong GSI programs in their jurisdictions and (2) an online, living compendium of GSI principles, best practices and case studies designed to benefit practitioners across sectors.
The 9 Framework Chapters
Click on a topic for an overview
You will also find a link to chapters that have been completed*. Click the button below for a PDF containing all the chapter overviews.
This topic, which has been completed, explores preparing teams for equitable GSI delivery; centering community; ensuring project selection, siting, and investments enhance equity; designing projects and programs for lasting community benefits; fostering economic stability and wealth building; mitigating displacement risks; identifying equitable policies and programs; addressing racial equity; combatting biases in urban planning; and promoting equitable distribution of assets and benefits.
This topic centers on advancing GSI as part of overarching sustainability goals, enhancing urban environ-ments for cooler, safer and more biodiverse cities, and seamlessly integrating GSI strategies with other sustainability and resilience efforts. Key considerations include addressing climate resilience and implementing designs that are sustainable and adaptable to climate change.
This topic, which has been completed, addresses making a compelling case for GSI: positioning green and gray solutions; securing leadership buy-in; fostering partnerships and intergovernmental coordination; employing effective narrative strategies; conducting cost-benefit analyses; engaging elected officials and senior champions; implementing public outreach; utilizing demonstration projects; sharing case-making research; fostering cross-pollination; and providing education and training.
This topic focuses on understanding the regulatory environment at federal, state, and local levels; leveraging existing conditions to inform policies and programs; exploring program and procure- ment models; and coordinating across departments and agencies.
This topic covers determining how to pay for GSI; building public support for stormwater fees; identifying funding and financing tools aligned with program models; exploring funding accelerators; evaluating new financing approaches; obtaining loans and grants; securing funding for ongoing maintenance and asset management; and ensuring funding accessibility and equitable distribution.
This topic explores avenues for workforce training; ensuring confidence in knowledge and skills; assessing the potential need for mentor/protege, internship or apprenticeship programs; increasing opportunities in disadvantaged communities; forging partnerships; and program models for workforce development.
This topic is dedicated to strategically planning GSI. It involves determining optimal locations; assessing quantity and types of GSI; integrating equity considerations; planning for lasting community benefits; mitigating displacement risks; defining design considerations; and aligning GSI with broader planning efforts.
This topic revolves around the design and construction of GSI. It includes national and local design standards; designing for lasting community benefits; reducing the chances of community displacement; involving communities in the design process; implementing best practices for GSI construction; addressing design barriers; fostering innovation; and designing with maintenance in mind.
This topic includes understanding asset management systems and their benefits; planning and executing maintenance strategies addressing funding for monitoring and maintenance; considering data standardization; and delving into various elements such as lifecycle costs, criticality, levels of service, capital project rehabilitation, public and private inspections and ongoing monitoring efforts.