Low Impact Development (LID)

Low Impact Development (LID) is a stormwater management and land development strategy applied at the road right-of-way, site plan and subdivision scale. This strategy emphasizes conservation and use of on-site natural features, integrated with engineered, small-scale hydrologic controls to more closely mimic pre-development hydrology. The goal of LID is to prevent measurable harm to streams, lakes, wetlands and other natural aquatic systems from commercial, residential or industrial sites. LID technologies and related design practices are used by GREENLAND® clients (wherever feasible from a functional perspective) for municipal infrastructure and land development projects.

Our LID planning and design strategy (by our engineering and landscape architecture teams) can include:

  • Green roofs;
  • Rainwater gardens;
  • Rainwater harvesting systems;
  • Permeable pavement structures
  • Bio-swales;
  • Artificial floating islands; and,
  • Other innovative ‘smart systems’ developed from the principles of bio-mimicry.

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Client Testimonials

Muskoka Watershed Council

The Muskoka Watershed Council’s mission is to champion watershed health in those watersheds that flow into and through the District Municipality of Muskoka. There is no conservation authority in Muskoka, instead the Council is a volunteer-based organization supported by the District of Muskoka, local consulting firms, and local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change offices.

The Muskoka Watershed Council is currently undertaking a project to understand the potential impact of climate change in Muskoka to the year 2050. In working with our municipal partners, decision support tools such as Greenland’s new CANWET-5 model could be useful in informing our watershed management planning decisions in relation to policy development, stewardship priorities and education and communication programs. 

Peter Sale
Chair
Muskoka Watershed Council

November 17, 2014
 

Blue Mountain Watershed Trust Foundation

RE: Huntingwood Trail East OLT – Expert Witness Support

On behalf of the Blue Mountain Watershed Trust Foundation (aka ‘Trust’), I would like to extend the Board of Directors’ sincere gratitude to GREENLAND® for its exemplary technical support on the recent Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) case.

GREENLAND® was retained to develop a defendable, 2-dimensional hydraulic model of the Silver Creek system with many accompanying spills, and in the vicinity of the proposed development. Your firm’s expertise and proficiency with 2-D hydraulic modelling - floodplain management projects were also instrumental in achieving an amicable solution with the developer’s engineering team lead. The solution will now protect residents and property from increased flooding impacts associated with the original subdivision plan (and for only this development phase).

This included your impeccable team to always maintain prompt communication between the OLT parties, and providing staff expertise and support for a concurrent public engagement by the Trust. Your team’s attention to detail and cross-functional collaboration approach was also key to identifying an amicable solution by all parties of the OLT, and as part of an OLT Settlement.

Mark, it was a pleasure to work with GREENLAND® on this file. Thank you also to your team.

Carl Michener
President
Blue Mountain Watershed Trust Foundation

March 29, 2026
 

City of Ottawa

On behalf of the City of Ottawa, we would like to thank Greenland International Consulting Limited, and in particular, Don Moss for his exemplary efforts in his role as Model Keeper for the City of Ottawa… Greenland has achieved a high level of confidence with Senior Staff and City Council as well Conservation authority and the Ontario Ministry of Environment… The City is appreciative of the new Modelling Tool developed by Greenland which will assist the City in conducting timely and efficient development reviews. The City will now be able to test proposed infrastructure with the overall development, determine changing impacts to existing infrastructure as ponds, as well as any changes to the receiving watercourses.

Don’s knowledge, dedication and professional approach over the past five years has been a crucial factor in the success of the project under very challenging circumstances.

Don Herweyer, MCIP, RPP
Program Manager
City of Ottawa

February 11, 2014
 

Corporate Partnerships & Associations

Partnerships and Accreditations