Assessment of the role of green infrastructure in sustainable urban water management

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ágnes Gulyás ◽  
Ákos Csete
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Sustainable Urban Water Management ◽  
Harvesting Systems

<p>Due to the climate change caused uncertainty, the urban areas face new challenges. In addition to mitigating the negative effects, it is important the developments need to implemented in a sustainable manner. The problem of urban areas is substantial on account of their growing spatial size and population, furthermore the inadequate infrastructure. Urban districts with inadequate infrastructure can be a major source of water pollution, but also have a significant impact on the well-being of the citizens. In modern urban planning the sustainable urban water management based on the usage of green infrastructure. Green infrastructure is an important tool to make urban water cycle sustainable by linking artificial, engineered elements (gray infrastructure) with the services provided by vegetation. Green infrastructure can help to make the urban water cycle sustainable in many ways. Its primary role is the mitigating effect, such as reducing and retaining surface runoff with the process of interception and evaporation. Due to the complex structure of vegetation, it can also play an important role in infiltration (by root system), thus also reducing surface runoff.</p><p>Providing adequate data on the role of green infrastructure <strong>–</strong> even on a city-wide scale <strong>–</strong> can help decision makers. To accomplish this, hydrological models can play an important role. If these models (i-Tree Hydro) based on appropriate meteorological and land cover data, they can help to estimate the runoff and infiltration of study areas and the reducing effect of vegetation (interception, evaporation). In our study, we attempted to compare two significantly different urban district based on these aspects and to analyze the differences. Analyzes in the two study areas of Szeged (Hungary) all suggest the vegetation can significantly contribute to the reduction of surface runoff. Differences between these urban districts can be quantified so these data can serve as a basis for decision making in urban planning processes.</p><p>As another element of our research, we analyzed the relationship between surface runoff and infiltration in modeling study (SWMM) of rainwater harvesting systems in public institutions (kindergartens). In this part of the research, besides the efficiency of the rainwater harvesting systems, we got data about the extent of surface runoff, evaporation and infiltration on yard of kindergartens.</p>

Green infrastructure for flood-risk management in Dar es Salaam and Copenhagen: exploring the potential for transitions towards sustainable urban water management

Water Policy ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Mguni ◽  
L. Herslund ◽  
M. B. Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Urban Drainage ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Sewer Systems ◽  
Sustainable Urban Water Management

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.

scholarly journals Innovative Methods in Sustainable Urban Development and Water Management

TEM Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 757-765
Author(s):  
Ágnes Agócsová ◽  
Zuzana Chodasová
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Sustainable Urban Development ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Innovative Methods ◽  
Sustainable Urban Water Management

Innovative methods presently affect all sectors of the national economy contributing to the progress and overall development of the economy, and the living standard worldwide. Innovations are equally necessary both in the private and in public sectors therefore, the original innovative ideas in each sector are greatly accepted. Similar concept is significant for companies dealing with urban water management. New methods are available mainly for capturing and reusing of rainwater in urban areas which leads to a positive impact on sustainable urban water management regarding today's water scarcity problems. This article describes some of the most popular innovative methods and examples used for rainwater harvesting, recycling and reuse. As a result, the evaluation of the most suitable water harvesting techniques related to sustainable water management, and their application in the city of Brno in Czech Republic are described.

scholarly journals Green infrastructure-based hydrological modelling, a comparison between different urban districts, through the case of Szeged, Hungary

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-368
Author(s):  
Ákos Kristóf Csete ◽  
◽  
Ágnes Gulyás ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Urban District ◽  
Urban Districts ◽  
Runoff Reduction

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.

The role of membrane technology in sustainable decentralized wastewater systems

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (10) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.G. Fane ◽  
S.A. Fane
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Wastewater Reuse ◽  
Membrane Technology ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Decentralized Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sustainable Urban Water Management

Decentralized wastewater treatment has the potential to provide sanitation that meets criteria for sustainable urban water management in a manner that is less resource intensive and more cost effective than centralized approaches. It can facilitate water reuse and nutrient recovery and can potentially reduce the ecological risks of wastewater system failure and the community health risk in a wastewater reuse scheme. This paper examines the potential role of membrane technology in sustainable decentralized sanitation. It is argued that the combination of membrane technology within decentralized systems can satisfy many of the criteria for sustainable urban water management. In particular, the role of membranes as a dependable barrier in the wastewater treatment process can increase system reliability as well as lowering the latent risks due to wastewater reuse. The modular nature of membranes will allow plant size to range from single dwellings, through clusters to suburb size. It is concluded that realization of the potential for membrane-based technologies in decentralized wastewater treatment will require some progress both technically and institutionally. The areas where advances are necessary are outlined.

Implementation impediments to institutionalising the practice of sustainable urban water management

2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 415-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.R. Brown ◽  
L. Sharp ◽  
R.M. Ashley
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Technical Solution ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Narrow Scope ◽  
Sustainable Urban Water Management ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Management Issues

It is now well accepted that there are significant challenges to realising the widespread and self-sustaining implementation of sustainable urban water management. It is argued that these challenges are entrenched within the broader socio-political framework, yet often unsuccessfully addressed within the more narrow scope of improving technical knowledge and design capacity. This hypothesis is investigated through a comparative analysis of three independent research projects investigating different dimensions of the water cycle, including stormwater management in Australia and sanitary waste management and implementation of innovative technologies in the UK. The analysis reveals significant and common socio-political impediments to improved practice. It was evident that the administrative regime, including implementing professionals and institutions, appears to be largely driven by an implicit expectation that there is a technical solution to solve water management issues. This is in contrast to addressing the issues through broader strategies such as political leadership, institutional reform and social change. It is recognised that this technocratic culture is inadvertently underpinned by the need to demonstrate implementation success within short-term political cycles that conflict with both urban renewal and ecological cycles. Addressing this dilemma demands dedicated socio-technical research programs to enable the much needed shift towards a more sustainable regime.

scholarly journals Urban Green Space Arrangement for an Optimal Landscape Planning Strategy for Runoff Reduction

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 897
Author(s):  
Byungsun Yang ◽  
Dongkun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Urban Green Space ◽  
Space Distribution ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Stormwater Treatment ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Water Cycle

Increased impervious surfaces due to urbanization have reduced evaporation and infiltration into the soil compared with existing natural water cycle systems, which causes various problems, such as urban floods, landslides, and deterioration of water quality. To effectively solve the urban water cycle issue, green infrastructure using urban green space has emerged to reduce runoff and increase evaporation. It has the advantage of restoring the water cycle system of urban areas by complementing the failure of conventional stormwater treatment systems. However, urban areas under high-density development have limited green space for stormwater treatment. Hence, it is necessary to efficiently utilize street trees and small green spaces to improve the urban water cycle through green space. In this study, we simulated different green space distribution scenarios in the virtual domain to find the optimal strategy of green space planning. Compared to clustered scenarios, dispersed green space distribution scenarios and placing green space downstream were more effective in reducing the runoff amount. The paper provides insights into the considerations for determining green space spatial plan and zoning regulations for stormwater treatment by green infrastructure.

A cost-sustainability analysis of urban water management

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Icke ◽  
R. M. van den Boomen ◽  
R. H. Aalderink
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Town Planning ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Sustainable Urban Water Management ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Urban Water Cycle

A simple model for the urban water cycle is presented, based on mass balances for water and phosphorus. This model is used for the evaluation of the sustainability rate of the urban water cycle. This type of model is to be used in an early stage of town planning, to compare several possible measures. In general, contributing to achieving a more sustainable urban water management. A sensitivity analysis was performed to rank the management options and additional measures to their contribution to the sustainability rate of the urban water cycle. A module for the calculation of cost was linked to the model, revealing the relation between cost and the sustainability rate for a wide range of scenarios. The results show that an improved separated sewer system and the use of a local ground water source have the biggest impact on the sustainability rate. A slightly positive correlation between investment cost and the sustainability rate was found as well.

scholarly journals Urban Stormwater Management, a Tool for Adapting to Climate Change: From Risk to Resource

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2616
Author(s):  
María Hernández-Hernández ◽  
Jorge Olcina ◽  
Álvaro-Francisco Morote
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Flood Hazard ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The City

The effects of climate change on rainfall in the Mediterranean region are manifested in an overall decreasing trend, and greater irregularity in annual volumes and the city of Alicante is no exception. In addition, there has also been a spread of the urbanised area, which has led to an increase in the flood risk in urban areas (due to a greater runoff and the occupation of flood hazard areas) and drought events due to an increase in the water demand. In light of these new scenarios, the Mediterranean cities should design adaptation systems based on rainwater harvesting within the framework of a circular economy. This study analyses the integration of rainwater in flood and water demand management in the city of Alicante (Southern Spain). In recent years, this city has developed infrastructures in order to use these resources. To do this, different databases have been analysed (rainfall and volume of water collected in the green infrastructure systems). The results reveal that stormwater has become highly important in urban water management in Alicante as the city is now using a resource that previously went to waste and created problems (flooding and pollution). By way of conclusion, it is worth mentioning that the incorporation of rainwater for urban use in Alicante has reduced the pressure on traditional resources in satisfying water demand and has also acted as a measure for adapting to climate change.

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