Quality Design > Model Urban Design Guidelines

Stormwater Management Facilities

Quality Design

Design Principles

1. Water Quality: Stormwater must be appropriately managed to minimize water degradation as a result of urban development.

2. Flooding & Erosion Management: Appropriate stormwater management facilities are required to mitigate the detrimental impacts of flooding and erosion.

3. Public Access: Stormwater management (SWM) facilities should be integrated as community amenities to optimize their use as a valued component of the general publicly accessible open space network. Where possible, SWM facilities should be connected to public open spaces.

4. High Quality Design: The objective of creating well-designed community facilities will assist balancing functional requirements with ecological and aesthetic objectives.

5. Safety: Stormwater management facilities should be designed to meet public safety objectives in the context a high degree of community focus and use.

6. Viability: Consideration should be given to consolidating SWM facilities or limiting the number of facilities required in order to reduce the ongoing costs of maintenance by the Municipality.

Source: Regional Municipality of Niagara, Model Urban Design Guidelines, 2005