Green Infrastructure for Increased Resource Efficiency in Urban Water Management

Author(s):  
Jaime Nivala ◽  
Andreas Zehnsdorf ◽  
Manfred van Afferden ◽  
Roland A. Müller
Author(s):  
Glyn Everett ◽  
Emily Lawson ◽  
Jessica Lamond

Water Policy ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Mguni ◽  
L. Herslund ◽  
M. B. Jensen

The risk of flooding in urban areas could be better approached by complementing conventional sewer systems with sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) for storm-water management. This may be the case for developing world cities like Dar es Salaam with incomplete sewer services, as well as cities like Copenhagen with fully developed sewer systems. This paper explores some theories relevant to understanding how the implementation of SUDS may be one option for supporting a transition towards sustainable urban water management (SUWM). Using interviews, document analysis and observation, a comparison of the opportunities and barriers to the implementation of SUDS in Dar es Salaam and Copenhagen is presented. The results indicate that a bottom-up approach in Dar es Salaam is important, with the community level taking the lead, while in Copenhagen the top-down approach currently employed is promising. The ability of the institutional frameworks of both cities to support the implementation of SUDS is also discussed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 2393-2401 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. Fratini ◽  
M. Elle ◽  
M. B. Jensen ◽  
P. S. Mikkelsen

To achieve a successful and sustainable adaptation to climate change we need to transform the way we think about change. Much water management research has focused on technical innovation with a range of new solutions developed to achieve a ‘more sustainable and integrated urban water management cycle’. But Danish municipalities and utility companies are struggling to bring such solutions into practice. ‘Green infrastructure’, for example, requires the consideration of a larger range of aspects related to the urban context than the traditional urban water system optimization. There is the need for standardized methods and guidelines to organize transdisciplinary processes where different types of knowledge and perspectives are taken into account. On the basis of the macro–meso–micro pattern inspired by complexity science and transition theory, we developed a conceptual framework to organize processes addressing the complexity characterizing urban water management in the context of climate change. In this paper the framework is used to organize a research process aiming at understanding and unfolding urban dynamics for sustainable transition. The final goal is to enable local authorities and utilities to create the basis for managing and catalysing the technical and organizational innovation necessary for a sustainable transition towards climate change adaptation in urban areas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-368
Author(s):  
Ákos Kristóf Csete ◽  
◽  
Ágnes Gulyás ◽  

Because of the climate uncertainties caused by climate change and the growing urban areas, today’s cities face new environmental challenges. The impervious artificial elements change the urban water cycle. Urban districts with inadequate water infrastructure and treatment can be a major source of environmental risks, like urban flash floods. Modern cities need to be prepared for the changing environment in a sustainable way, which can be realised with the help of green infrastructure. The primary role of the green infrastructure is mitigation, such as surface runoff reduction and retainment. The aim of our research is to examine urban district scale data about the role of green infrastructure in urban water management. Hydrological models can provide adequate data about the surface runoff, infiltration and the mitigating effect of vegetation (interception and evaporation). We compared two significantly different urban districts (downtown and housing estate area), based on land cover and vegetation data. The analysis of the districts of Szeged (Hungary) suggests that the vegetation can significantly contribute to the reduction of surface runoff. Differences between these urban districts can be quantified, thus, these data can serve as a basis for urban water management planning processes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 875-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Candelieri ◽  
Francesco Archetti ◽  
Enza Messina

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document