Transformation to water-sensitive cities in the 21st century: Sustainable stormwater management

Abstract

Stormwater management has become one of most crucial issues of the 21st century for increasing permeable surfaces in urban area, improving water resources and controlling flood due to severe weather events caused by global warming and climate change. In this respect, it is a well-known fact that the preservation and management of water is of utmost importance as a result of the rapid urbanization. Previous studies indicated that the traditional methods of stormwater management did not effectively improve water quantity and quality. Concordantly, the best practices for sustainable water development are sustainable stormwater management approaches. This chapter presents an overview of the concepts that emerged in the 21st century on the basis of NBS for sustainable stormwater management in urban planning and design processes. Initially, the concepts are defined and subsequently a brief overview of sample applications and practical solutions to urban problems in the context of sustainable stormwater management are presented. In conclusion, as a nature-based solution, it has been emphasized that the widespread adoption of sustainable stormwater management is vital to water demand, one of the most important issues of the future. It is discussed that the necessity of an integrated approach from sub-scale to upper scale plan should be used throughout the planning and designing process. Accordingly water should be primarily taken into consideration as a key element in both today and future's cities. © Peter Lang AG 2019.