Located on a flood-prone delta, the city of New Orleans is faced with several challenges and hazards caused by stormwater runoff that affects the built environment. The inundation of stormwater impacts the normal use of facilities, floods the environment, carries unwanted pollutants to nearby watersheds, and affects the purity of its water system. In New Orleans, stormwater runoff impacts are felt every time there is heavy rain. There is a vital need to implement a more sustainable drainage system for effective stormwater management. Green infrastructure (GI) mimics the dynamics of the natural ecosystem by managing stormwater runoff through a regenerative process. This article assesses the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the implementation of green infrastructure in New Orleans, looking at the strategies employed, and challenges faced by the city government, non-governmental organizations, and neighbourhoods. The paper engages local stakeholders on the implementation of GI. Local practitioners’ points of view are then juxtaposed with the scientific literature on stormwater management to provide a nuanced understanding between practice and literature, and suggest how to improve the implementation of GI in the city.

Green infrastructureurban sustainabilitystormwater managementNew Orleans