Refers collectively to public works such as electrical and water distribution systems; streets, roads, bridges, and other components of the transportation system; stormwater collection and conveyance systems; and other constructed components that are required for an economy to function.
- When used in the context of stormwater management, “green infrastructure” or rainscaping ,refers to the use of soil, plants, and other natural features that capture precipitation and use it on-site or allow it to infiltrate. Green infrastructure/rainscaping varies in scale from preserved and restored natural landscape features (such as forests, floodplains, and wetlands) that manage and filter significant stormwater quantities to smaller scale practices including rain gardens, porous pavement, and green roofs. Green infrastructure/rainscaping is designed to mimic natural processes.
- “Gray infrastructure” refers to all components in traditional systems used to collect and convey stormwater runoff, such as curbs and gutters, storm drains, culverts, and others. This name is derived from the use of concrete to manufacture many of these components.