What made Chicago successful in preventing floods?
The "Windy City", Chicago is also known for its precipitation during summer and winter, which called for a significant investment into reimagining stormwater management over the last decade. This investment included the construction of flood management buildings and as well as "Green Alleys" which is permeable pavement that allows water to be filtered and drained into the ground.
The "Green Alley"
The "Green Alley" is located on the Pilsen Sustainable Street, the rainwater travels through the sidewalk to porous rock, where microbes decontaminate it. Then, it goes on to feed surrounding plants, or it filters through sand deep in the ground to make it back to Lake Michigan. In this way, the water that is collected can easily move in the hydrological cycle.