2018 Reports

Seattle's Thornton Creek Water Quality Channel

Cormier, Nate

The Thornton Creek Water Quality Channel in Seattle demonstrates how urban green infrastructure can simultaneously manage stormwater, restore biodiversity, and enhance public space. By transforming a former parking lot into a natural drainage system with swales, ponds, and native vegetation, the project treats runoff from 680 acres while providing recreational and educational amenities. Community engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration enabled integration of environmental, social, and economic objectives, catalyzing significant private investment in the surrounding neighborhood. This case highlights the value of adaptive, ecosystem-based approaches in creating resilient and vibrant urban ecosystems.