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Environmental impact design (EID) is the adaptation and implementation of a design project, with regard to the supply of the public goods (social, natural, and aesthetic) and the development of landscapes. It takes into account the environmental impact of every designed and developing project. EID assesses the imposed percentage cost (often a small value) of the development to the owner, and the result is a large percentage benefit to the community.

Environmental impact design is concerned with modifications to the design of development projects to achieve positive environmental impacts – these are externalities which benefit the environment and raise the stock of public goods.

Examples of positive impacts include:


 * Habitat creation as a result of afforestation projects that can "expand forest resources and reduce the gap between timber production and consumption." An example of this is the China Afforestation Project.


 * Coastal management projects which contribute to ecological and recreational objectives. This type of project can strengthen biodiversity and protected areas. It can also promote sustainable use of biological resources at the local level.


 * Flood defense projects which improve the livability in flood-prone areas by reducing future loses with the construction of defense facilities. Flood preparedness and mitigation systems will enhance regional capacity of handling periodic flooding.


 * Bridge designs which enhance the landscape and contribute positively to the environment. An example of this is the implementation of concrete bridges which are sustainable, recyclable, long lasting and make "it possible to facilitate accelerated construction; thereby, reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by traffic delays and construction equipment operation."

Environmental impact design can be broken down into three categorical types:

I. Direct impacts: They are caused by the project and building process itself. The causes and effects are more predictable and thus easier to control and assess.

II. Indirect impacts: impacts are usually more closely linked to the design project and thus may have more profound damages and effects to the environment. Overtime, indirect impacts can affect larger geographical areas.

III. Cumulative impacts: can cause damage to one or more ecosystems since they are synergetic effects.

Examples of all three impacts:


 * Direct impacts example: In building projects, direct impacts are caused by the building process itself such as land consumption, removal of vegetation, and severance of land.
 * Indirect impacts example: Degradation of surface water quality by the erosion of land cleared as a result   of a new project.
 * Cumulative impacts example: The impairment of water regulation and filtering capabilities of wetland systems due to the construction of a building.'''

Environmental impacts of design should not only be considered as they pertain to the project but also as they associate with the site of the project. Similarly, Environmental Impact Design follows logically from Environmental impact assessment.