An overview report of "Artful Downspouts" which can contribute to the dissemination of Green Infrastructure

: Significance of emotionally engaging factors such as fun or aesthetics has been pointed out in order to promote the spread of Green Infrastructure. One of the fine examples are "Artful Downspouts" whose design can appeal additional values and meanings of beauty, fun or enlightenment though the function of conveyance of run-off is the same as the ordinal ones. As there is no comprehensive report about "Artful Downspouts", this research organized the following information by collecting the photos via online: variety of design types, kinds of functions, distribution and increase rate. 351 photos were found in total. The location of 162 photos were revealed, of which 119 were in the United States. Most photos were found in the cities which had proactively introduced green infrastructure. The classification of design types was proposed from the information of changing parts of downspouts. As the result of summary counts based on the classification, 64 % of "Artful Downspouts" were made by altering the forms of the end of pipes or swapping the rain chains. It indicates the importance of easiness of installation. The design of 27 % had little relation with flood alleviation or nature conservation. It implies that "Artful Downspouts" could incorporates diversity of interest and its non-exclusiveness might have contributed to the dissemination of Green Infrastructure.