Plan/Build

What Plan/Build means to us:

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)

We collaborate with communities to identify, design and create stormwater management systems on vacant and public land, transforming them into sustainable nature based solutions.

Community Activation

We enhance stormwater sites with landscaping, public art, climate readiness infrastructure, transit improvements, and gardens to turn functional infrastructure into vibrant, climate resilient community hubs and assets.

Comprehensive Planning

We develop long-term and master plans that restore the natural functions of watersheds and urban streams, supporting healthier ecosystems and reducing negative stormwater impacts.

Monitoring & Data

We monitor the health of Nine Mile Run by lab testing samples from the stream each month. We also collect data from our GSI sites, helping us to understand how much stormwater is collected – and how our watershed could benefit from additional sites.

“I am both excited and deeply grateful for [the Dornbush Green Infrastructure] project. Upstream has invested tremendous time, effort, and thoughtful planning into bringing the rain garden to life. Having a talented artist like Marlana Adele Vassar create such a meaningful art installation for the East Hills community is truly significant. East Hills is a community that has triumphed over its setbacks and is striving for a brighter future. The Sankofa Bird featured in the artwork serves as a powerful reminder to honor our roots, reflect on our past, and use that wisdom to shape our present and future.”

— Diane I. Daniels, Founder/Executive Director, East Hills Consensus Group