05/19/2025
A new study by Team CIS commissioned by the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange underscores the multifaceted resilience approaches needed across the Great Lakes. This report was part of the Resilient Infrastructure Sustainable Communities (RISC) initiative funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF).
The Great Lakes Region faces mounting challenges from climate change and urbanization. Over the past three decades, extreme rain events have risen by 45% while the average annual precipitation in the region has increased by 5–15%. This ecosystem is vital for drinking water, recreation, and commerce contributing $52 billion annually to the economy and supporting 1.5 million jobs.
The report shows that to scale green infrastructure solutions (GSI) in the Great Lakes Region, a multifaceted approach is essential. The report identifies sustainable funding, workforce development, equitable planning, as well as regional planning and collaboration to be critical in accelerating the adoption of GSI across jurisdictions.
The report features case studies from Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) on efficient use of private financing, Buffalo Sewer Authority on smart sewer technologies, City of Ann Arbor on resilience-oriented planning, and the City of Brampton on a proactive Asset Management Plan.
Read the full report here: https://www.cisolutions.com/.../category/resources-reports/. The report is authored by Vedachalam, Ph.D., O’Fiesh, Dobie, Ph.D., and Alvarez of .
