The City of Gary initiated the “Vacant to Vibrant” project in 2014, which aimed to mitigate flooding due to aging sewer system...

Approach

This project implemented a comprehensive urban stormwater and runoff management restoration approach, combining scientific research with community engagement and traditional ecological knowledge.

Implementation Steps

1. Baseline assessment and site selection
2. Stakeholder consultation and community engagement
3. Design and planning phase with technical experts
4. Implementation with local workforce training
5. Monitoring and adaptive management

Timeline

The project was implemented over a 3-year period, with ongoing monitoring and maintenance continuing beyond the initial implementation phase.

Environmental Benefits

• Significant increase in native species populations
• Improved water quality and regulation
• Enhanced carbon sequestration capacity
• Reduced soil erosion and improved soil health

Social & Economic Benefits

• Created local employment opportunities
• Improved community resilience to climate impacts
• Enhanced ecosystem services valued at $2M annually
• Strengthened traditional knowledge and practices

✓ What Worked Well

• Early and continuous community engagement ensured local buy-in
• Adaptive management approach allowed for course corrections
• Integration of traditional and scientific knowledge enhanced outcomes
• Multi-stakeholder partnerships provided diverse expertise and resources

⚠ Challenges Encountered

• Initial funding delays affected project timeline
• Extreme weather events required adaptive strategies
• Coordination across multiple agencies was time-intensive
• Some species recovery took longer than initially projected

→ Recommendations for Replication

• Invest adequate time in baseline assessments and planning
• Build strong local partnerships from the project outset
• Ensure long-term funding commitments for monitoring
• Document and share learnings throughout implementation
• Plan for climate adaptation from the beginning