Search Results (319)

This study employed a comprehensive methodology to investigate the role of water utilities in the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) for water management such as Sustainable Drainage Systems. The methodological approach involved analyzing the Urban Nature Atlas database to evaluate European funding sources and stakeholders associated with NBSs for water management in Europe. Focusing on the Italian context, the study then conducted semi-structured interviews with Italian experts and mapped exemplary cases where Italian water utilities actively participated in NBS implementation efforts. The results provide insights into the factors hindering and driving NBS development by water utilities in Italy. Using an SWOT analysis, the study proposes five distinct roles that water utilities could potentially adopt to advance NBS. The article offers valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and water utility stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration to secure financing for NBSs. Full article

Urban flooding is a major challenge to sustainable development in rapidly urbanizing cities. This study applies an integrated approach that combines Sentinel-1 SAR data, geomorphological analysis, and the DPSIR (Drivers–Pressures–State–Impacts–Responses) framework to assess the relationship between urbanization and flooding in Hanoi during the 2010–2024 period (with Sentinel-1 time-series data for 2015–2024). A time series of Sentinel-1 images (2015–2024) was processed on Google Earth Engine to detect inundation and construct a flood frequency map, which was validated against 148 field survey points (overall accuracy = 87%, Kappa = 0.79). The results show that approximately 80% of newly urbanized areas are situated on geomorphologically sensitive units, including inside- and outside-dike floodplains, fluvio-marine plains, paleochannels, and karst terrains, characterized by low elevation and high flood susceptibility. Meanwhile, about 73% of the total inundated area occurs within newly developed urban zones, primarily in western and southwestern Hanoi, where rapid expansion on flood-prone terrain has intensified hazards. The DPSIR analysis highlights rapid population growth, land use change, and inadequate drainage infrastructure as the main pressures driving both the frequency and extent of flooding. To our knowledge, this is the first study integrating geomorphology, Sentinel-1, and DPSIR for Hanoi, thereby providing robust evidence to support sustainable urban planning and climate-resilient development. Full article

Groundwater is a vital freshwater resource for Pakistan, particularly in the rapidly urbanizing cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. However, rising demand, changing land use, and climate uncertainty pose significant risks to its long-term availability. This study employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Remote Sensing (RS), and Geographic Information System (GIS) to map groundwater potential zones (GWPZs). A total of eleven parameters, including Rainfall, slope, elevation, drainage density, soil type, water table depth, land use/land cover (LULC), and remote sensing indices (NDVI, MSI, TWI, and LST), were used for the identification of groundwater potential zones. The results showed that 51.96% of the study area is classified as having “moderate” groundwater potential, while 5.64% and 33.09% are categorized as “very high” and “high” potential zones, respectively. Conversely, 8.25% and 1.04% of the area are classified as “low” and “very low” zones, respectively. Parameters such as steep slopes, urbanization, and high land surface temperatures hinder recharge, whereas gentle slopes, vegetation, and shallow water tables enhance recharge potential. In semi-arid, urbanizing areas, the integrated AHP–GIS–RS techniques provide a reliable and cost-effective method for mapping GWPZs, offering essential decision support for sustainable water resource management. Full article

The three-temperatures (3T) method is a robust approach to estimating evapotranspiration (ET), requiring relatively few measurable, physical parameters and an imitation surface, making it potentially suited for estimating ET from sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and green infrastructure (GI) in urban environments. However, limited 3T-ET data from SuDS and/or GI makes it difficult to assess the conditions that affect its accuracy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether reasonable ET estimates could be achieved using the 3T method with a plastic imitation surface for a small, homogenous vegetated surface. The 3T-ET estimates were produced at an hourly timestep and compared to reference ET ($E{T}_o$) derived using the Penman–Monteith equation. The 3T-ET estimates were consistently higher than $E{T}_o$ (mean absolute error of 0.05 to 0.15 mm·h⁻¹), which may indicate systematic overestimation of ET or that the actual ET was greater than $E{T}_o$. Unrealistic 3T-ET estimates are produced when the air temperature and the imitation surface temperature converge, limiting the method’s application to between mid-morning and late afternoon. Further work to validate and refine the 3T method is required before it can be recommended for deployment in the field for spot-sampling ET rates from urban SuDS/GI. Full article

Climate change arguably constitutes the most significant environmental challenge of our time, making the enhancement of urban resilience a global priority. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have emerged as effective instruments to mitigate some of its impacts, particularly by reducing flood risk and moderating urban temperatures. However, their implementation is often reactive, focusing on existing problems rather than anticipating future ones. This underscores the need for robust methodological frameworks that enable the proactive integration of NbS within urban planning processes. This study proposes a spatial planning methodology supported by Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which, through the application of opportunity, priority, and feasibility criteria, identifies optimal areas for NbS integration, determines appropriate typologies, and establishes levels of intervention urgency. Although the methodology has been developed for the city of Granada, its structure allows for replication in other urban contexts. The findings reveal that one-third of Granada’s urban area is suitable for NbS implementation, with approximately 7% exhibiting a high or very high risk of surface runoff accumulation. The proposed tool has the potential to strengthen urban resilience and enhance citizens’ quality of life. Full article

This study evaluates groundwater quality dynamics in the Harran Plain (∼1500 km²), a key agricultural zone within Türkiye’s Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). Satellite images from Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS were used to assess land-use changes over the years 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, with the GIS employed for classification and analysis. In this study, groundwater samples collected from twenty different locations in 2005, 2015 and 2025 were analyzed. For each sample, pH, EC, and various ion concentrations (Na, K, Cl, SO₄, NO₃, Ca, Mg, HCO₃) were measured. All analyses were performed using standard hydrogeochemical methods. Data from 20 wells (2005–2015) revealed significant reductions in EC (8235 to 2510 µS/cm) and NO₃⁻ (720 to 327 mg/L), due to drainage systems, improved irrigation, and fertilizer management. Nonetheless, localized pollution persisted. Land-use shifts toward high-value crops improved water efficiency, while urban and industrial expansion introduced new pressures. Results emphasize integrated water–land policies for sustainable groundwater management in arid agroecosystems. Full article

The wisdom embedded within traditional human settlements offers profound insights for addressing contemporary ecological challenges. This study systematically investigates the spatial management strategies and ecological wisdom of ancient settlements in the Yiluo River Basin (Luoyang Section), a cradle of Chinese civilization. A mixed-methods approach combined with historical document analysis was utilized, and the results reveal how these settlements achieved harmonious coexistence between human activities and the natural environment over millennia. The research uncovers a sophisticated system of ecological wisdom, primarily manifested across four key dimensions: (1) Macro-Topography-Responsive Siting Strategy: Settlement locations adhered to the principle of “nestling against mountains and facing water,” utilizing natural barriers and resources to mitigate flood risks and optimize microclimates. (2) Context-Adaptive Spatial Layout: The internal layout of settlements was attuned to local topography, water systems, and wind corridors, enhancing living comfort and aesthetic appeal. (3) Gray–Green–Blue infrastructure Synergy: Ancient water management systems were integrated with farmland and transportation routes, forming a synergistic network for irrigation, drainage, flood control, and transportation. (4) Culture–Nature Symbiosis: Cultural practices integrated human life cycles with natural landscapes, fostering regional identity and cultural sustainability. This study argues that the ecological wisdom of ancient Yiluo settlements—marked by its systematic and adaptive nature—provides a valuable historical paradigm for enhancing ecosystem services, building climate resilience, and achieving human–nature harmony in contemporary watershed management and urban–rural development. Full article

Accelerating urbanization and the intensifying pace of climate change have heightened the occurrence of urban pluvial flooding, threatening urban sustainability. As the preferred approach to urban stormwater management, coupled gray and green infrastructure (GI–GREI) integrates GREI’s rapid runoff conveyance with GI’s infiltration and storage capacities, and their siting and scale can affect life-cycle cost (LCC) and urban drainage system (UDS) resilience. Focusing on Fengxi New City, China, this study develops a multi-objective optimization framework for the GI–GREI system that integrates GI suitability and pipe-network importance assessments and evaluates the Pareto set through entropy-weighted TOPSIS. Across multiple rainfall return periods, the study explores optimal trade-offs between UDS resilience and LCC. Compared with the scenario where all suitable areas are implemented with GI (maximum), the TOPSIS-optimal schemes reduce total life-cycle cost (LCC) by CNY 3.762–4.298 billion (53.36% on average), rebalance cost shares between GI (42.8–47.2%) and GREI (52.8–57.2%), and enhance UDS resilience during periods of higher rainfall return (P = 20 and 50). This study provides an integrated optimization framework and practical guidance for designing cost-effective and resilient GI–GREI systems, supporting infrastructure investment decisions and climate-adaptive urban development. Full article

To mitigate the impacts of urbanisation and the attendant surface sealing, appropriate measures are required when adapting urban spaces and drainage infrastructure. In this context, the deployment of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDSs) has emerged as a viable alternative, delivering highly positive outcomes by enhancing hydrological, hydraulic and landscape performance while restoring ecosystem services to the community. This study evaluates the relative performance of five SuDS typologies, green roofs, bioretention cells, infiltration trenches, permeable pavements, and rain barrels, implemented in a 64 ha subbasin of the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain. Using Giswater integrated with the SWMM, the stormwater drainage network was modelled under multiple rainfall scenarios. Performance was assessed using two qualitative indicators, the junction index (I_j) and the conduit index (I_c), which measure surcharge levels in manholes and pipes, respectively. The results show that SuDS implementation affecting 42.8% of the drained area can enhance network performance by 35.6% and reduce flooded junctions by 67%. Among the typologies, rain barrels and bioretention cells were the most effective. The study concludes that SuDS construction, supported by open-source tools and performance-based indicators, constitutes a replicable and technically robust strategy for mitigating the effects of surface sealing and increasing urban resilience. Full article

This study investigates the adoption and utilisation of hidden roof construction as an innovative alternative to traditional roofing systems in Ghana’s urban housing. Although hidden roofs offer advantages in climate adaptability, aesthetics, and cost efficiency, their adoption remains limited. Using a survey-based partial least squares structural equation modelling approach, this study identifies the factors influencing their acceptance and use. Quantitative data were collected through field surveys from residents and construction professionals within the Kumasi Metropolitan Area. A structured questionnaire was administered using purposive and convenience sampling, yielding 175 valid responses from a total of 220 distributed questionnaires (79.5% response rate). Findings indicate that hidden roof systems are valued for their climatic suitability, particularly their resistance to water leakage and reduced heat absorption, alongside their efficient drainage design. Aesthetic appeal, cultural relevance, and ease of maintenance also emerged as key determinants of positive perception and adoption. Structural analysis confirmed significant positive relationships between design concept, aesthetic and social values, sustainability, functionality, and overall acceptance. The study provides practical guidance for architects, engineers, developers, and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable, user-centred roof design in tropical urban contexts. Findings are, however, limited to Kumasi and may not fully generalise to other Ghanaian cities. Full article

Sustainable and resilient hydrologic urban ecosystem services rely on connectivity among gray, green, and blue infrastructures. We conducted a field study of post-urban landscape hydrology in inland (River Rouge) and coastal (Detroit River) catchments on the West and East sides, respectively, of Detroit, MI. Measurements of parcel (n = 36) soil hydraulics as infiltration and drainage rates, soil taxonomic data, and depth of the groundwater table were used to determine connectivity. Hydrologic data was parsed into “stoplight” categories (green, yellow, orange, red) that at once communicate connectivity and best uses for sustained rendering of ecosystem services from vacant parcels. Parcels with yellow, orange, and red infiltration rates would respond to tillage and cover cropping with an increase in gray-green connectivity, whereas drainage rates in the orange and red categories suggest redevelopment. Blue-green connectivity was constrained by high variation in drainage rate, perched versus deeper saturated zones, urban drainage affecting local groundwater gradients, and relatively little groundwater data to compare against. This assessment process can serve to optimally allocate city resources to effectively and efficiently identify best management practices (including redevelopment) for vacant sites and to sustain ecosystem services, where they are most strongly rendered as connectivity amongst gray, green, and blue water regimes. Full article

Global climate change is intensifying extreme rainfall, exacerbating urban flood risks, and undermining the effectiveness of urban stormwater drainage systems (USDS) designed under stationary climate assumptions. While prior studies have identified general trends of increasing flood risk under climate change, they lack actionable connections between climate projections and practical flood risk assessment. Specifically, quantifiable forecasts of extreme rainfall for defined return periods and integrated frameworks linking climate modeling to hydrological simulation at the watershed scale. This study addresses these gaps by developing an integrated framework to assess USDS resilience under future climate scenarios, demonstrated through a case study in Changsha City, China. The framework combines dynamic downscaling of the MRI-CGCM3 global climate model using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to generate high-resolution precipitation data, non-stationary frequency analysis via the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution to project future rainfall intensities (for 2–200-year return periods in the 2040s and 2060s), and a 1D-2D coupled urban flood model built in InfoWorks ICM to evaluate flood risk. Key findings reveal substantial intensification of extreme rainfall, particularly for long-term period events, with the 24 h rainfall depth for 200-year events projected to increase by 32% by the 2060s. Flood simulations show significant escalation in risk: for 100-year events, an area with ponding depth > 500 mm grows from 1.38% (2020s) to 1.62%, (2060s), and the 300–500 mm ponding zone expands by 21%, with long-return-period events (≥20 years) driving most future risk increases. These results directly demonstrate the inadequacy of stationary design approaches for USDS, which carries substantial applied significance for policymakers and stakeholders. Specifically, it underscores the urgent need for these key actors to update engineering standards by adopting non-stationary intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves and integrate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) into formal flood management strategies. Full article

Urban flooding increasingly threatens the resilience of historic urban landscapes (HULs), where conventional gray infrastructure often fails to balance flood protection with cultural preservation. This study systematically evaluates five stormwater management models—conventional drainage, direct surface infiltration, subterranean infiltration, surface infiltration with retention at source, and stormwater retention—within the context of HULs. Using a structured SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, combined with Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) and External Factor Evaluation (EFE) matrices, we identify key implementation factors, performance trade-offs, and context-specific constraints. Expert surveys (n = 20) were conducted to assess the relative importance and uncertainty of SWOT elements, further visualized through an impact–uncertainty grid. The results highlight that while conventional systems offer proven reliability and regulatory alignment, they lack adaptability to climate change and ecological functions. In contrast, infiltration- and retention-based models enhance resilience, water quality, and multifunctional urban benefits but face challenges of space limitations, cost, and integration with heritage preservation requirements. The analysis underscores the need for interdisciplinary, participatory, and policy-supported approaches to embed Nature-Based Solutions into HULs. The findings provide evidence-based guidance for urban planners and policymakers seeking to reconcile stormwater management with cultural heritage protection, offering strategic pathways for sustainable and climate-resilient heritage cities. Full article

Minor Southern Italian population centers present a fragmented and uneven urban landscape, resulting from abandonment and depopulation phenomena that have led, especially in historic city centers, to urban voids scattered with rubble, buildings in a state of ruin, and others with evident structural collapses. Within a broader urban regeneration strategy for these centers, aligned with current national and European policies, the recovery of these vacant spaces can play a decisive role in enhancing urban quality and the desired touristic appeal, with social, economic, and environmental implications. These areas may also become valuable resources for innovating the urban core in a green transition process, contributing to carbon neutrality goals while improving residents’ quality of life. This paper addresses the importance of pocket parks as systems of resilience against climate change and hydrogeological risks, as well as rainwater drainage systems in densely built urban areas with strong historical character. The study includes a case study application focusing on a location in the Sicilian hinterland, notable for its historical and architectural value. The urban center under examination, Naro in the province of Agrigento, has experienced significant depopulation over the past fifty years, and the designation of its provincial capital as the Italian Capital of Culture 2025 could provide the opportunity for revival through small-scale, low-cost, and sustainable actions. Full article

The rising urbanization and climate change have increased pluvial flood risks, especially in highly urbanized areas. This study focuses on the Lake Ganzirri area in Messina, Italy, where street-level floods have raised concerns for infrastructure resilience and public safety. This study aims to explore how to effectively represent key urban features, emphasizing buildings and low-impact development/sustainable urban drainage systems (LID/SUDS). For the buildings, a combination of referred approaches to represent buildings is compared against the widely used method to represent buildings as voids in a 2D mesh, ignoring them in the water balance calculations. For the LID/SUDS control elements, a 2D representation is presented and compared against the widely used 1D approach to model such elements. The study uses three well-known software packages—EPA-SWMM 5.2, HEC-RAS 6.2, and InfoWorks ICM 2021.9—applied to the Lake Ganzirri area, to explore the representation of buildings using the building void method (available in InfoWorks ICM 2021.9) against the proposed method (in HEC-RAS 6.2) to replicate runoff flow over a 2D model of a highly urbanized area. From scenario S0, three more scenarios were derived: S1 (S0 with pluvial drainage network), S2 (S1 with LID/SUDS control elements), and S3 (S0 with 2D representation of LID/SUDS), which were then compared against using four comparison schemes. Results show that the proposed method for representing buildings computed the propagation of the runoff comparable to when the building void method is used, with some shortcomings regarding mesh adjustments and computational times. Regarding the 2D representation of LID/SUDS, the effects were unperceivable on water depth maps (reduction in water depths of 1.5 mm on average for all the rainfall events). Still, they were reflected in the increase of 62% of the infiltration volume on average of all the rainfall scenarios and a decrease of 9.1% of water flowing outside the 2D area, therefore replicating the effect of capturing water. Full article