The Practice of Low Impact Development

Published Tuesday, July 15, 2003

This U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) document, The Practice of Low Impact Development (LID), is intended to assist the housing industry during the land development process. It complements the 1993 HUD publication Model Land Development Standards and Accompanying Model State Enabling Legislation, which simultaneously promoted safe, high-quality housing and eliminated needless requirements that add to a home’s final cost.

The HUD Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) supports the Department's overall mission of helping to create affordable housing and assisting communities with meeting their development needs. In particular, PD&R is responsible for monitoring the nation's housing needs, conducting research on significant community development issues, and providing reliable and objective analysis to our nation's policymakers. This publication underscores PD&R's commitment to delivering timely and accurate research to our nation's housing professionals.

The document focuses specifically on technologies that affect both the cost impacts and environmental issues associated with land development. It provides a brief introduction to low impact development and discusses conventional and alternative techniques and technologies that developers can integrate into their existing land development practices. By continually examining the land development process, the home building industry can continue to provide America with built environments that enhance the natural environment.

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