07/06/2026

Honorable Mention for Graduate Student Planning Project

Residential Rainscaping: Analysis of Residents’ Participation in Rain Garden Programs and Stormwater Management in the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan

University of Michigan
Master of Urban and Regional Planning

This project is the first to formally evaluate the long-term effectiveness of Ann Arbor rain garden programming. The project uses a three-part assessment model which includes: analysis of the spatial distribution of rain gardens by sub-watershed; analysis of a county-wide survey conducted previously; and interviews with survey respondents. Jurors said, "We appreciated that the student evaluated an existing progam to quantify impacts that to this point were not well understood. We think the assessment methodology is repeatable for other communities with rain garden programs."

MAP congratulates student Renee Magyar!