Creating a multi-beneficial development and park that contribute toward housing, stormwater management, and open space goals
Community Ventures, a non-profit developer, works in partnership with city and neighborhood-based organizations to provide affordable housing that achieves the highest levels of environmental sustainability. Whereas, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) is the municipal government entity tasked with reducing the frequency and volume of combined sewer overflows in the City of Philadelphia.
When it came to Ingersoll Commons, an overgrown, vacant lot in North Philadelphia, Community Ventures and PWD saw a great opportunity. They could partner to construct affordable homes and a public park that—together—could support stormwater management.
Designed with underground detention basins (beneath shared private driveways), the homes manage their own stormwater runoff. Plus, the park includes three hydraulically-connected rain gardens as well as porous pavement to capture and manage stormwater from the property and surrounding street network.
Collectively, the stormwater management features from both the houses and the park address 0.98 acres (0.40 hectares) of impervious area. The Ingersoll Commons project contributes to the City of Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters initiative, which aims to protect and enhance the health of Philadelphia’s waterways.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Community Ventures
- Philadelphia Water Department
Bernadette Callahan, Senior Associate, Green Infrastructure Sector Leader, Water
Green infrastructure supports urban resilience. Now, more than ever, cities will need to be resilient.
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