Showing papers on "Water-sensitive urban design published in 2017"

Framing water sensitive urban design as part of the urban form

Abstract: Spatial planning for green stormwater treatment technologies, known as Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), is a wicked problem which can greatly benefit from the application of Planning Support Systems (PSS). Our review of currently existing WSUD-PSS shows that WSUD is approached from three perspectives: hydrological, urban planning and water governance. As a form of best (urban) planning practice, WSUD requires PSS that regard these technologies as an integral part of the urban form. We argue that suitability of location for WSUD has two sides: WSUD needs a place and a place needs WSUD. No framework or PSS exists that frames WSUD from both sides of suitability. We propose such a suitability framework, building on evidence from literature. Our review found no comprehensive tool or strategy incorporating all relevant factors for suitability analysis. Our proposed framework addresses this gap, and serves as the basis for rigorous WSUD-PSS. Critical review of models, frameworks and tools for sustainable urban water management, and the potential of GIS-MCDA.A comprehensive spatial suitability assessment framework for WSUD placement, that can form the basis for new planning tools.Extending the suitability concept beyond biophysical factors to include socio-economic, planning & governance, local needs.Novel systematic incorporation of ecosystem services into suitability framework for green stormwater systems.

The cooling effect of irrigation on urban microclimate during heatwave conditions

Abstract: The emergence of integrated urban water management (IUWM), provides a unique opportunity for passive evaporative cooling of urban environments This study investigates the potential of purposefully managed irrigation for cooling benefits in a suburb of Adelaide, Australia, where IUWM is widely adopted SURFEX was used to simulate heatwave conditions across a suburban environment Results from two simulation periods are presented: model validation period and a heatwave case study Model validation suggests SURFEX can broadly capture the average intra-suburban diurnal air temperature variability, but not the average maxima and minima A range of idealised irrigation scenarios were tested with different rates and timing of watering implemented Clear evidence was found that irrigation reduces air temperature in urban environments The diurnal average air temperature was reduced by up to 23 °C The cooling benefit of increasing irrigation was non-linear, with negligible additional cooling predicted above 20 L m −2 d −1 The magnitude of cooling was proportional to the pervious (irrigated) fraction, meaning less cooling occurred in areas with greater urban development Although irrigation increased humidity, it still improved outdoor human thermal comfort during heatwave conditions IUWM approaches can provide an additional fit-for-purpose water supply to the urban environment, which should be utilised for cooling benefits

A review of water-sensitive urban design technologies and practices for sustainable stormwater management

Abstract: This review paper presents, in a critical and systematic way, the published researches on water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) technologies and practices. The aim of WSUD is the long-term sustainability for urban water cycle management; it minimises the hydrological impacts of urban development on the surrounding environments. It considers stormwater as a valuable resource. The applications of WSUD technologies in practice could be the solution of everyday problems of small-scale stormwater management—flood control, pollution control and stormwater harvesting. This paper focuses on the recent research outcomes of several frequently used WSUD technologies including infiltration systems, permeable pavements, bio-retention systems, vegetated swales and rainwater harvesting systems; their barriers and adaptations; and future research directions.

Valuing environmental services provided by local stormwater management

Abstract: The management of stormwater runoff via distributed green infrastructures delivers a number of environmental services that go beyond the reduction of flood risk, which has been the focus of conventional stormwater systems. Not all of these services may be equally valued by the public, however. This paper estimates households' willingness to pay (WTP) for improvements in water security, stream health, recreational and amenity values, as well as reduction in flood risk and urban heat island effect. We use data from nearly 1,000 personal interviews with residential homeowners in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. Our results suggest that the WTP for the highest levels of all environmental services is A$799 per household per year. WTP is mainly driven by residents valuing improvements in local stream health, exemptions in water restrictions, the prevention of flash flooding, and decreased peak urban temperatures respectively at A$297, A$244, A$104 and A$65 per year. We further conduct a benefit transfer analysis and find that the WTP and compensating surplus are not significantly different between the study areas. Our findings provide additional support that stormwater management via green infrastructures have large non-market benefits and that, under certain conditions, benefit values can be transferred to different locations.

Fifty Years of Water Sensitive Urban Design, Salisbury, South Australia

Abstract: Australia has developed extensive policies and guidelines for the management of its water The City of Salisbury, located within metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia, developed rapidly through urbanisation from the 1970s Water sensitive urban design principles were adopted to maximise the use of the increased run-off generated by urbanisation and ameliorate flood risk Managed aquifer recharge was introduced for storing remediated low-salinity stormwater by aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) in a brackish aquifer for subsequent irrigation This paper outlines how a municipal government has progressively adopted principles of Water Sensitive Urban Design during its development within a framework of evolving national water policies Salisbury’s success with stormwater harvesting led to the formation of a pioneering water business that includes linking projects from nine sites to provide a non-potable supply of 5 × 106 m3∙year–1 These installations hosted a number of applied research projects addressing well configuration, water quality, reliability and economics and facilitated the evaluation of its system as a potential potable water source The evaluation showed that while untreated stormwater contained contaminants, subsurface storage and end-use controls were sufficient to make recovered water safe for public open space irrigation, and with chlorination, acceptable for third pipe supplies Drinking water quality could be achieved by adding microfiltration, disinfection with UV and chlorination The costs that would need to be expended to achieve drinking water safety standards were found to be considerably less than the cost of establishing dual pipe distribution systems The full cost of supply was determined to be AUD$157 m–3 for non-potable water for public open space irrigation, much cheaper than mains water, AUD $345 m–3at that time Producing and storing potable water was found to cost AUD$196 to $224 m–3

A water sensitive urban design framework for South Africa

Abstract: South Africa (RSA) is a ‘developing country’ still facing the challenge of providing basic water services to a significant proportion of the population. Water security is increasingly a matter of major concern, with most of the surface water resources fully accounted for and poor water quality downstream of urban areas. Whereas service delivery and social upliftment are high on the political agenda, the challenge is to promote economic and social equity, whilst simultaneously ensuring environmental sustainability; this challenge is greatest in the rapidly growing urban areas. Alternative approaches to conventional urban water management, which account for these water-supply and -quality constraints as well as the impacts of extreme weather-related events, are thus required. It is postulated that, from a water-management perspective, this will require strategic planning for the wide-scale implementation of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) – a systems-based approach that focuses on the interactions between the built form and water-resources management. This article describes a way forward for an integrated management (infrastructure and planning) approach for urban water. It defines what ‘water sensitivity’ might mean in the RSA context, and outlines the process that was followed to develop a framework and guidelines for implementing WSUD in South Africa. The four complementary components of the framework – research, vision, narrative, and implementation – highlight what will be required in order to manage the challenges facing the country’s urban water sector and enable the transition towards water sensitivity. Keywords: Developing countries, water framework, water sensitive cities, water sensitive urban design

The capacity of the Cape Flats aquifer and its role in water sensitive urban design in Cape Town

Abstract: There is growing concern that South Africa’s urban centres are becoming increasingly vulnerable to water scarcity due to stressed surface water resources, rapid urbanisation, climate change and increasing demand for water. Furthermore, South Africa is a water-stressed country with much of its surface water resources already allocated to meet current demands. Therefore, in order to meet the future urban water supply requirements, countries like South Africa will need to consider alternative forms of water management that focus on moving towards sustainability in urban water management. WSUD is one such approach that aims to prioritise the value of all urban water resources through reuse and conservation strategies, and the diversification of supply sources. This study investigates the capacity of the Cape Flats Aquifer (CFA), assessing the feasibility of implementing Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) as a strategy for flood prevention and supplementing urban water supply. The implementation of MAR on the CFA aims to facilitate the transition towards sustainable urban water management through the application Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) principles. The fully-integrated MIKE SHE model was used to simulated the hydrological and hydrogeological processes of the CFA in Cape Town at a regional-scale. Using the results of the regional-scale model, four sites were selected for more detailed scenario modelling at a local-scale. Several MAR scenarios were simulated to evaluate the aquifer’s response to artificial recharge and abstraction under MAR conditions. The first objective was to evaluate the feasibility of summer abstractions as a flood mitigation strategy at two sites on the Cape Flats prone to winter groundwater flooding, viz. Sweet Home and Graveyard Pond informal settlements. The second objective of the study was to assess the storage potential and feasibility of MAR at two sites in the south of the Cape Flats, at Philippi and Mitchells Plain. In addition, the migration of solute pollutants from the injected or infiltrated stormwater was simulated and climate change simulations were also undertaken to account for potential fluctuations in rainfall and temperature under climate change conditions. The results indicated that flood mitigation on the Cape Flats was possible and was likely to be most feasible at the Graveyard Pond site. The flood mitigation scenarios did indicate a potential risk to local groundwater dependent ecosystems, particularly at the Sweet Home site. Yet, it was shown that a reduction in local groundwater levels may have ecological benefits as many of the naturally occurring wetlands on the Cape Flats are seasonal, where distinct saturated and unsaturated conditions are required. Furthermore, MAR was shown to improve the yield of wellfields at Philippi and Mitchells Plain through the artificial recharge of stormwater while also reducing the risk of seawater intrusion. MAR was shown to provide a valuable means of increasing groundwater storage, improving the supply potential of the CFA for water supply while aiding the prevention or mitigation of the seasonal flooding that occurs on the Cape Flats. Furthermore, the case was made that MAR is an important strategy to assist the City of Cape Town in achieving its WSUD objectives. MAR and groundwater considerations, in general, are essential for the successful implementation of WSUD, without which, there is an increased risk of overlooking or degrading urban groundwater resources. The findings of this study resulted in a number of recommendation to urban water resources managers, planners and policy makers. First, MAR is an important means for Cape Town to move towards becoming a truly water sensitive city. This study indicated that the CFA should be

Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) – what it is and where do we stand today?

Abstract: Stormwater management is a topic of growing complexity. It includes all measures in mitigating stormwater runoff. Various studies have identified stormwater as a major carrier of various pollutants and other contaminants. The utmost motive behind the implementation of stormwater management strategies is to use a suite of Best Management Practices to reduce sediment load, nutrients and chemical pollutant loads in stormwater before they reach natural watercourses downstream. Mitigation of the flood threat is another objective. Mitigation measures have been implemented in many countries with the same objectives. The relevant factors to be considered when adopting stormwater management measures are the geophysical aspects such as the climate, hydrology, land, soil and topography, law and social factors as well as the technical and economic issues. The world is moving more towards green concepts in mitigating stormwater runoff. Some of these measures are Low Impact Designs, Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) and Water Sensitive Urban Design. SUDS are more attuned to the green concept. The primary goal of SUDS is to switch from pipe-engineered system to practices and systems that use and enhance natural processes, i.e. infiltration, evapotranspiration, filtration and re-use. While conventional drainage systems focus only on the stormwater quantity, SUDS pay attention to all three aspects of quantity, quality and amenity/biodiversity. These measures have their own advantages and shortcomings. This review targets the present the state of the art of SUDS and its importance in stormwater management.

UrbanBEATS: a virtual urban water system tool for exploring strategic planning scenarios

Abstract: Models for Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) have been growing in the past decade to encompass more interdisciplinary elements and consider not only traditional engineering design and system performance, but also embrace social, environment and economic issues and harness the capabilities of geographic information systems (GIS). Current WSUD models, however, lack the capabilities to interrelate urban planning, urban design and water infrastructure. The consideration of integration aspects between stormwater treatment infrastructure and the urban environment (which is core to the WSUD ethos) in existing models is highly simplified. This thesis aimed to develop an integrated model, a virtual urban water system tool known as the Urban Biophysical Environments And Technologies Simulator (UrbanBEATS). UrbanBEATS can model the interaction between urban planning and WSUD to provide users and broader project stakeholders decision-support in the planning process. The model enables users to explore a large number of urban planning, social and policy scenarios, enable more strategic decision-making and promote participatory modelling. The research on UrbanBEATS was framed around four key areas: (i) understanding the interactions between urban planning, society and water infrastructure, (ii) representing the urban form in a conceptual, yet adequate manner for WSUD planning, (iii) modelling WSUD planning for greenfield developments and (iv) modelling WSUD planning for dynamic cities. Preliminary modelling of the interactions between residential urban form, societal preferences and lot-scale WSUD was conducted on a semi-hypothetical Melbourne case study. The study identified key interactions between statutory planning regulations, which define form and function of urban space, and opportunities for implementing lot-scale infiltration systems. Outcomes of this study and extensive review of the planning-support systems and WSUD modelling literature provided the basis for defining model requirements and defining an overarching model structure. Requirements included the need for interdisciplinary modelling (to address a variety of user groups), focus on and integration of planning problems and model transparency. UrbanBEATS is a spatial model, which uses a grid representation of the urban environment. Each cell in the grid, known as a ‘block’, is a database of information for that particular urban region. The general model structure comprises two key modules: (a) Urban Planning Module and (b) WSUD Planning Module. The former processes geographic input maps of land use (using its own developed classification system of 13 categories), population, elevation and soil (and other optional maps), creates the grid representation with spatial relationships between the blocks (i.e. neighbourhoods and drainage flow paths) and determines the urban form for each block (using a collection of statutory regulations, census data, and rule-based algorithms). The WSUD Planning Module conducts rigorous design and placement of WSUD stormwater technologies for a number of objectives (runoff, pollution reduction and stormwater harvesting) at a multitude of scales (lot, street, neighbourhood, sub-catchment). Using urban form data, conceptual design, a Monte Carlo procedure and multi-criteria assessment (MCA), the model generates thousands of possible WSUD options to meet water management targets for a required ‘service’ (i.e. spatial coverage of runoff/pollution treatment or amount of water demand substitution). Outputs of the model include maps of urban form data and top-ranking WSUD layouts and are useful for facilitating further discussion among stakeholders. A water-centric classification of land use within the Urban Planning Module was developed and applied to Greater Metropolitan Melbourne. Analysis showed that the new classification could be derived from existing zoning information available from the local planning scheme. Further analysis of the spatial data reiterated shortcomings of using simple raster-based representations. Abstraction of urban form was tested against real data. The module was calibrated to a large urban metropolitan area within Melbourne against three urban form indicators: impervious fraction, total dwelling count and residential roof area. Results showed that the model satisfactorily reproduced these with several cases of over-estimations. Initial algorithms for WSUD planning were on the Scotchman’s Ck catchment, a small suburban catchment in Melbourne’s south-east. The study demonstrated how WSUD technological opportunities can be identified and introduced the Utilisation metric as a means for quantifying and analysing large amounts of model outputs in a collective manner. The refined WSUD Planning Module was tested on the Toolern Precinct greenfield development. It was calibrated to reproduce a WSUD layout based on an integrated urban water management (IUWM) plan designed by an external consultant. Results showed similarities with proposed designs, but full validation could not be conducted due to significant data limitations in the study. Scenario exploration was also conducted to assess alternative water management strategies for the precinct including on-site stormwater harvesting. Outcomes showed possible interactions between different spatial scales and technology types to achieve multiple objectives. Dynamic WSUD Planning algorithms (i.e. ‘retrofit’ and ‘implementation’ of WSUD through time) were tested on a historical case study of Scotchman’s Ck catchment using data from urban and social modelling (which were conducted in parallel as part of a broader research project) as input. Preliminary results showed that UrbanBEATS can reproduce adoption patterns of different technologies despite discrepancies in the absolute values. UrbanBEATS was shown to be highly flexible, usable as a standalone tool for rapid assessment and planning-support to its users, but also integrated into larger complex modelling frameworks. Different simulation modes allow for rigorous assessment of urban environments in a wide variety of ways to address the needs of its user groups. Analysis of model performance throughout the research has provided practical recommendations for its refinement and testing in a planning-support setting. This thesis is by publication and entails six journal papers of which three have already been published.

Sustainable Urban Drainage

Abstract: This article introduces the concept of sustainable urban drainage as defined by a range of guidelines for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, Low Impact Development, and Water Sensitive Urban Design. The aims of the approach are discussed with specific reference to flood risk management and water quality management. A description is given for the types of infrastructure that can be used to control runoff production in source areas; transport and utilize water in a sustainable manner; and improve surface water quality before it is allowed to enter the local water course. The design, implementation, and maintenance of such systems are also discussed along with a review of how such guidelines are being implemented around the world.

Landscape elements as a basis for integrated water management

Abstract: Water scarcity and flooding associated to climate variability and poor water use efficiency affect the liveability of our cities and their water security in the long term. As advocated by the Integrated Water Management (IWM) model, a transition towards arrangements that, besides centralized water infrastructures, also include onsite and efficient organization of water flows is required. A Landscape Elements Water Management Strategy (LEWMS) has been outlined to immediately guide the exploration of potential source control solutions for the recurrent spatial elements of a given urban landscape (roofs, gardens, parks, etc.) and the result of their reiteration at the catchment level. In the LEWMS, spatial configurations, water flow patterns and stakeholder’s arrangements generated by the spread of different decentralized options are drawn up to allow their comparison. Tested in the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR), the analysed macro effects of micro-scale landscape-based practices are gaining the atte...

Constructed wetlands for urban stormwater nutrient attenuation: diurnal to decadal dynamics

Abstract: ................................................................................................................................................. iii Statement of originality .......................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. vi Chapter 1 .................................................................................................................................................

Water Sensitive Urban Design: A Sustainable Design Approach To Reform Open Spaces in Low-Income Residential Rehabilitation Projects in Egypt

Abstract: Urban communities and cities often evolved alongside the rivers or coasts of the sea, the water element was always important and influential in shaping the visual and urban character. Neglecting such natural resource in urban development has a bad impact on city's economic, ecological and visual values and subsequently, on the rights of next generations. Moreover, programs of urban transformation and development in low-level residential projects suffer from random policies and blurred strategies which ignore natural and social opportunities. This requires new approaches which in turn comes out of an integrated strategy based on a multi-dimensional approach to solve the problem. Among them is Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). which is a methodology that depends on respecting an important environmental natural resource "Water" and is oriented to use water more effectively and integrating water cycle with built environment.The research will examine practically the efficiency of WSUD in reforming governmental rehabilitation housing projects, alongside with the urban rehabilitation standards. An urban residential area in Port Said coastal city will be selected for implementing this study. A proposed framework –from WSUD with urban rehabilitation standards– will be extracted to improve the quality of this area with its built context in order to alter water from being a potential nuisance into a valuable resource. Through Developing Design guidelines for WSUD implementation potentials, the study will reach developing actions on the urban and built level, to help assessing the validity of the proposed design guidelines in the light of WSUD contributions with rehabilitation process.

Community-based adaptation measures for Water Sensitive Urban Design in context of socio-environmental vulnerability

Abstract: The paper describes the experimental results of a Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) implementation that tests the holistic approach for an integrated urban water management system as an adaptation measure to cope with climate change in socio-environmental vulnerability conditions. The work is based on a socio-technical perspective for the development of micro-scale water sensitive measures in East Naples (Southern Italy), a deprived multi-risk area where emerging socio-ecological criticalities are calling to formulate adaptive strategies that consider local community claims and embed bottom-up processes. Community-based design actions are proved to be effective for the co-production of resilience practices, including the social capital in climate-resilient transition of the built environment.

Sustainable Water Treatment Methods to Be Used in Urban Communities

Abstract: The increasing population and rapid urbanization rates lead to increasing demands on water resources. In an arid country such as Egypt, cities are facing problems of water scarcity and untreated wastewater. Communities consume large amounts of water, leading to higher water demands and an increased wastewater production. Many developing countries can’t afford the required infrastructure to cope with the rising demand on water supply and wastewater treatment, leading to a water challenge. The water challenge is studied by researchers in agricultural, infrastructures, and other related fields, while the role of the urban planner/designer is usually not included, though the integration of water management techniques in urban design can provide valuable benefits on water resources, in addition to positive impacts on the social, environmental, and economic aspects of the community and the health of its inhabitants. This chapter introduces the concept of integration of water management in the urban design of communities, from an urban design point of view, providing the link between water management and community design. The chapter focuses on methods that can be applied in Egypt. Examples of communities in similar climatic conditions are examined to provide an understanding of the potential of integration of water management techniques in new urban communities in Egypt.

Water sensitive urban design as a transformative approach to urban water management in Cape Town: A case study of the proposed River Club development

Abstract: The author examines effective urban water management as a means to promote sustainable development and achieve water sensitive cities. A qualitative method is utilised in the collection of data through document studies, desktop analysis and a literature review. A review of the current national and local water policies and approaches within South Africa, and more specifically Cape Town, indicated the need for a coordinated, systems based and holistic approach to urban water management. Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is considered as an alternative approach to urban water management in Cape Town to build resilience among local communities against the threat of drought and flood events, and promote sustainable development in moving toward a water sensitive city. A model for implementing WSUD in the context of limited resources and capacity within local municipal departments is considered. Incorporating the principles of WSUD within spatial planning initiatives to implement this approach and catalyse a systemic transition in urban water management is considered and assessed in a case study of the proposed development of the River Club. The case study considers a bottom-up approach to transforming urban water management and the capacity of WSUD, when implemented through spatial planning, to simultaneously address multiple objectives including those of sustainable development and those contained within national and local policies. The benefits of a WSUD approach for all are considered. Many if these benefits are as a result of reduced pressures on municipal infrastructure and increased water resources accrued as a product of the proposed implementation model. The implementation model proposed creates conditions in which municipal resources and investment can be redirected to promote equitable water resource and service provision distribution throughout the city. The model is proposed to effect a transformation in water policy, institutional structures and water resource management to reflect the principles of WSUD in a manner which is cognisant of the various limitations inherent to the City.

Optimisation of water sensitive urban design practices using evolutionary algorithms

Abstract: Population growth and urban consolidation have resulted in a movement away from the natural landscape, creating a greater proportion of impervious area, and an increase in urban stormwater runoff. The increase in stormwater runoff has typically been handled using traditional drainage infrastructure such as pipes, pits and detention basins. An alternative is water sensitive urban design (WSUD), which has been shown to counteract the effects of increased runoff by decreasing the proportion of impervious area and utilising natural retention/detention. This research utilised evolutionary algorithms as a means of identifying, at the lot scale, the most efficient combinations of WSUD practices (rain gardens, bioretention cells, rainwater tanks, etc.) To meet designated hydrologic objectives at the catchment scale. Furthermore, an optimisation step was included to determine, and explore, the trade-offs between WSUD practices and traditional drainage infrastructure. A case study on the proposed south campus research park at the university of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) was selected to determine the optimal combination of traditional and WSUD infrastructure to meet flooding, freeboard and peak flow criteria at minimum cost. The optimisation results showed that for a variety of rainfall average recurrence intervals (ARIs) it is cheaper to use a combination of traditional drainage infrastructure and WSUD rather than to only use the traditional drainage infrastructure.

Justifying Water Sensitive Development: Science Informing Policy and Practice

Abstract: This New Zealand research focuses on providing evidence that a specified residential land use layout plus „at source‟ stormwater management results in higher aquatic ecosystem health. The evidence provides justification for changes in statutory plans, policies and practice rules that direct urban development. The surveyed sites are within river basins clustered by similar residential land use density. Each cluster includes one river basin with conventional urban form and drainage. Other comparative basins in the cluster typify a „water sensitive‟ urban form and infrastructure. An index of biotic integrity (indicating river health) is determined for each waterway at annual intervals over years. Current plan requirements, policies and practice guidelines for urban development are critiqued in relation to survey results. The cumulative influence of defined residential river basin characteristics (drivers) are related to the holistic biotic indices. Combined drivers determine the cumulative aquatic health outcome. Research methods typically don‟t target the effects of a single driver. Policy, plan and practice requirements need to guide urban design and construction to incorporate the elements of urban form that are together necessary for aquatic health. This will ensure an order of magnitude improvement in the functionality and recreational appeal of streams, wetlands, lakes and recipient harbours. Keywords: Water sensitive urban design; biotic integrity; urban planning

Ecosystem based climate change adaptation for Essenvelt, Middelburg, the Netherlands

Abstract: Climate change is an internationally recognised phenomenon generally held accountable for the increasing magnitude of extremes in both climatic events and temperature. With increasing urbanization and the concentration of socio-economic activities in urban areas, the challenge to contend with climate change is particularly pertinent in cities. In response to climate-change impacts, a range of climateadaptation strategies have been developed to make cities increasingly ‘climate proof’. A qualitative research approach is employed to review climate change, its impacts and some adaptation strategies, focusing on ecosystem-based adaptation strategies from Belgium and The Netherlands and Water-Sensitive Urban Design approaches developed in Australia. The article engages a case study of Essenvelt, Middelburg, The Netherlands, where unanticipated warmer night-time temperatures are a primary concern, related to natural variability, the urban heat island effect and climate change. The article proposes certain adaptation measures for Essenvelt, based on the adaptation strategies reviewed. Keywords: Adaptation, climate change, ecosystem-based, water-sensitive urban design, WSUD

REinventing Flood Control

Abstract: Climate change adaption is becoming more and more crucial within sustainable urban design. Global warming affects an increase of heavy rainfall events in Europe and especially in Germany. Deggendorf, a city in southeast Germany, has experienced a severe flood in 2013 caused by a dike burst. The chosen site in Deggendorf lies next to a dike park and has unused potential to be developed. The thesis discusses the problem of extreme rainwater events and areas behind flood defences not being addressed appropriately within urban design in Germany and argues for the need of integrated flood control within urban development in order to make cities more sustainable and flood resilient in times of climate change.

Urban Principle of Water Sensitive Design in Kampung Kamboja at Pontianak City

Abstract: This study will define the design principles of settlement area banks of the Kapuas Pontianak to approach the concept of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) in densely populated residential areas. Using a case study of a region densely located on the banks of the river with engineering literature to formulate the aspects taken into consideration and the components are arranged in the design, analysis descriptive paradigm rationalistic to identify the characteristics of residential areas riverbank with consideration of elements WSUD and formulate design principles residential area that is sensitive to water. This research is important to do because of problems related to the water management system in the settlement bank of the river in the city of Pontianak do not maximize. So that the primacy of this study contains several objectives to be achieved is to identify the characteristics of the settlement area riverbanks under consideration aspects areas design that is sensitive to water and principle areas design that will formulate the structure of the existing problems related to the needs of the community infrastructure facilities infrastructure neighborhoods and formulate and create guidelines for appropriate technology for integrated water management systems in the residential area of the riverbank and engineering design for the settlements are sensitive to water (WSUD). The final aim of the study is expected to achieve water management systems in residential areas by utilizing the abundant rainwater availability by using LID (Low Impact Development) through the concept of urban design that sensitive water

Decision-making tool for the operation of a stormwater harvesting system

Abstract: A shift in urban drainage management has been taking place since the 1970s. There is a transition from a flooding control approach to a more holistic approach, where multiple objectives are taken into account in the design and decision-making processes. This holistic approach is known as sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) or water sensitive urban design (WSUD). Despite research carried out on SUDS performance, there remains a need to analyze SUDS performance for stormwater harvesting (SWH), especially in light of the lack of design, monitoring, operational and maintenance specific knowledge. The overall aim of this PhD thesis is the development of a decision-making (DM) tool that uses online quantity and quality data to propose operational protocols with an eye towards end-use. To fulfill the overarching research goal, a case study in Bogota- Colombia is used: a constructed-wetland/reservoir-tank system (CWRT). For the development of the DM tool some methods were applied and developed in order to: (i) calibrate water flow and water quality on-line equipment; (ii) detect first flush before the end of runoff event; (iii) predict final uses with as less monitoring requirements as possible; (iv) evaluate DM scenarios (Ckc - Kappa Coefficient and reliabilities). We considered that the changes of water quality translate into a water-use changing should be taken into account for an on-line decision-making tool. With the decision-making tools the final water use can be predicted per minute (on-line) or per event (deferred). As well, we observed that is feasible to relate hydraulic variables and storm parameters with the final water uses in line with Sandoval et al. (2013, 2014). This allows us to simplify the process and the quality measurements are no longer needed for water uses' definition. Another point worth remarking is that with the monitoring of SWH we open the panorama to simplify the first flush (FF) phenomenon detection. Hence, this methodology identifies the FF phenomenon without the need of having recorded the entire event and without measured quality indicators.

Socio-Technical Aspects of Water Sensitive Urban Design: micro-scale innovative tools for adaptation

Abstract: The multidisciplinary approach of the Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is articulated on the synergy between the technical aspect of the urban water management, planning and environmental design to pursue strategic actions for climate change adaptation aiming to enhance the resilience of the complex urban system. The holistic methodology for the integration of the water management within the built environment provides effective outcomes for risk reduction through the development of multiscale solutions in which the goals of environmental regeneration are combined with the social sphere and its interaction with technology innovation issues. The socio-technical aspects of the WSUD at macro, meso and micro level are outlined to identify key points for the transition towards the water sensitivity of the urban system where retrofit interventions of the built environment are coupled with the strengthening of social capital. On a micro-scale the implementation of WSUD measures are tested in the case study of East Naples where the inclusion of bottom-up processes has been effective for the acceptance of adaptation measures at local level. Participatory tools have been developed to achieve the community engagement as an essential goal for WSUD options dealing with changes in the use of water resource and everyday practice of sustainability.

The effect of water sensitive urban design and outdoor water-use practices on urban microclimate.

Abstract: The excess heat that is stored in urban materials and created by human activities implies that people living in cities are particularly vulnerable to heat stress and heat related illness. In Australia, where extreme weather and prolonged drought are common, heat exposure in urban areas can be significantly exacerbated. The combination of increasing urban development, excessive urban heating, and lower water availability, alongside the impacts of future climate change could have damaging implications for the human health and well-being of urban dwellers. Water management in cities plays an important role in determining urban climates, but minimal work has been done that directly acknowledges these interconnected issues. Integrated water management approaches, such as water sensitive urban design (WSUD), provide a means for retaining water in the urban environment through stormwater harvesting and reuse. This study examines the potential for WSUD to provide cooling benefits and reduce human exposure to heat stress and thermal discomfort. A high resolution observational field campaign, measuring surface level microclimate variables and remotely sensed land surface characteristics, was conducted in a mixed residential suburb containing WSUD in Adelaide, South Australia. At Mawson Lakes microclimate variability was measured, including air temperature and thermal comfort, to investigate the microclimate effects of WSUD features, including man-made lakes, bio-filtration wetlands, and irrigated open space. Additionally, the SURFEX (SURFace EXternalisee in French) model was used to simulate the potential for irrigation to reduce exposure to heat stress and provide more thermally comfortable conditions during heatwaves. Clear evidence was found that WSUD approaches and irrigation can provide cooler air temperature and more comfortable thermal urban environments. It was found that the microclimate conditions that people experience in Mawson Lakes vary significantly over small spatial scales. The effects of WSUD features were seen to be highly localised, having little effect beyond 50 m from the source. Air temperature variability was influenced by land surface differences, such as proximity to water bodies. Sites that there were influenced by water bodies were up to 1.8 °C cooler during the day. However, human thermal comfort (HTC) was less influenced by land surface characteristics, and was mostly determined by contrasts in shading and airflow in the environment. The modelling analysis showed that there is high potential for irrigation to cool air temperature during heatwave conditions; with irrigation a 2.8 °C maximum reduction in daily average temperature was predicted. From this research some specific recommendations for the implementation of WSUD have been developed. These include consideration of the local wind regime when implementing WSUD; the use of smaller distributed features throughout the urban landscape at targeted locations; the use of irrigation during heatwaves to provide cooling; and the retention of trees in urban areas to provide shade, and augment the thermal comfort benefits provided by WSUD features. Overall, this research argues that distributed WSUD features can be used to capture, store, and treat stormwater, simultaneously providing ecological benefits and thermal benefits. Further, harvested stormwater can be re-integrated into the urban environment, thereby helping to maintain vegetation and providing distributed evaporative cooling benefits.