The realities of climate change have been on full display in Michigan this summer, and a crusading drain commissioner is pushing for stormwater infrastructure that uses natural features to capture and reuse water during extreme weather.

With memories of massive flooding still fresh from storms this summer, Sarah Grimmer details efforts around the state to increase its stormwater mitigation.
Some in the state are noticing the challenge of stormwater for the first time because the climate in the state is changing. "Since 1986, total annual precipitation across most of Michigan's lower peninsula has increased by more than 10 percent," writes Grimmer.
Now the state and its local and regional planning authorities are facing the challenge of updating its infrastructure—built on old assumptions on how much rain would fall on the state—for the new reality of climate change.
Ingham County Drain Commissioner Patrick Lindemann is cited extensively in the article to describe both the need for new infrastructure, as well as the challenges, like a lack of funding, standing in the way of a more resilient state. Lindemann suggests that instead of simply installing larger drainpipes—a task which many Michigan governments can't afford—a preferable strategy might be to rethink how to handle stormwater altogether.
Instead of funneling excess water in the Great Lakes, Lindemann wants to restore watersheds and create wetlands and ponds. "These projects work to hold rainfall and use it rather than pushing it out," explains Grimmer.
"The drain commissioner's goal is to build around 50 of these projects in Ingham County, he says it will take about 40 to 50 years to get this work done and, in the process, rebuild the county's infrastructure so that it can handle our new environment."
FULL STORY: Massive rainfall events aren't going away in Michigan. Experts say our infrastructure needs to adapt

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.

Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.

Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland