SEA Street in Seattle

My host and I visited one of Seattle's SEA streets (Street Edge Alternatives). The main goal of the SEA street design is to reduce stormwater runoff, and according to the Seattle Public Utilities website, the design has reduced runoff by 99%.

As you can see, the street is narrower than a typical street, and curves in order to slow traffic. Each house has a bioswale (aka raingarden) in the front yard where rainwater is detained, filtered by plants, and absorbed. The overall experience of the street is like being in a garden: diverse, lush plants are front and center, while cars and homes are more shielded from view.

We had learned about these streets in class, so it was interesting to see the effect in person.

more on SEA streets:
http://www.seattle.gov/UTIL/About_SPU/Drainage_&_Sewer_System/Natural_Drainage_Systems/Street_Edge_Alternatives/index.asp