Innovating stormwater management through best practices

The Equity Guide for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Practitioners

Greenprint is the lead author of the Equity Guide for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Practitioners (Equity Guide), a resource designed to help public sector stormwater management organizations promote, practice and measure progress towards equity in their work. The guide was developed for the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange (the Exchange), a social impact network of stormwater management leaders who seek to activate local governments and water agencies in the U.S. and Canada to implement green infrastructure (GI) equitably. 

‍

The Exchange aims to create resources that promote equity in the GI industry. The 2021 State of Equity Practice in Public Sector GSI report highlights the potential for expanding GI investments to advance equity across North America. It emphasized the need for research, peer learning and capacity building to support best practices. Utilities, researchers and community organizations recognized the opportunity to develop this growing industry with a focus on the most impacted communities, but lacked a clear roadmap. In response, the Equity Guide was created as a community-informed resource for utilities. 

The Equity Guide was informed by insights from over 80 published sources and interviews with more than 60 stormwater management and community-based organizations across North America. It offers GI program managers the framework and tools to build stronger partnerships with the communities they serve. It is organized around seven core equity goals:

• Goal 1: Internal Readiness: Strengthening organizational capacity to advance equity
• Goal 2: Centering Community: Ensuring that community voices are central to decision-making processes
• Goal 3: Siting + Investment: Making strategic decisions about where and how to invest in GI
• Goal 4: Benefits-Driven Project Development: Developing projects that maximize environmental, social and economic benefits
• Goal 5: Economic Stability: Promoting economic opportunities and stability through GI projects
• Goal 6: Preventing Displacement: Protecting communities from displacement caused by infrastructure investments
• Goal 7: Programs + Policies: Refining internal policies and programs to better integrate equity goals

Greenprint also provides training to organizations on how to apply the Equity Guide principles. Through workshops, webinars and one-on-one consultations, we equip groups with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively integrate equity into their GI projects.

Our work with the Equity Guide reflects our belief that communities should not only benefit from GI but also play a direct role in shaping the decisions that affect their neighborhoods. By leading this initiative and offering ongoing training, Greenprint continues to build staff capacity, enhance the community of practice and advance equity in water infrastructure and urban greening across North America.