Projections show that by 2050 the world's cities will accommodate two thirds of the world’s population. By 2030, 87% of the US population will live in cities. Still, we should not build more parking lots. Uncovering nature in cities through means such as daylighting to find water may accommodate urban populations better.

Daylighting is not a new concept. Cities such as Napa, California and Urbana Illinois implemented daylighting projects as early as the 1970s.These and other studies show that daylighting is doable and not costly.

Daylighting urban water has become a global movement drawing on community partnerships that include neighborhood volunteers, government, and community organizations.

For example, located in Portland, Oregon, since 2008 Depave has transformed more than 123,000 square feet of asphalt, diverting about 2.9 million gallons of stormwater from storm drains.

A daylighting project in Seattle, Washington reconnected cool spring-fed creek waters with Seattle's shoreline, increasing habitat benefits for all types of local wildlife including the migrating endangered juvenile Chinook salmon and other salmon species. This project involved over 300 volunteers in watershed restoration and creek construction, thereby increasing opportunities for inner-city environmental stewardship, education, and awareness. The intent of the project was also to inform, inspire and encourage others to act and restore ecosystems in their neighborhoods.

Seattle's project also brought employment.The project brought another asset as well with the use of Seattle's Conservation Corp.