This work aims to present a case study in which Nature-based Solution (NbS) scenarios were tested using computational modelling to verify the effectiveness of such systems as an alternative for solving flooding problems in urban areas. This case study corresponds to a central area in the city of Frederiksberg, a municipality located in Denmark. Different scenarios for Nature-based Solutions were considered and evaluated based on the estimated flooding area defined based on precipitation, infiltration, and surface coverage. Scenario 1 consisted of increasing areas of vegetation cover. Scenario 2, in turn, consisted of infiltration trenches combined with linear gardens along the sidewalks. Scenario 3 was based on the use of rain gardens. For hydrological modeling, the Scalgo software was used, which combines Georeferenced Information System (GIS) tools with an analysis of flood spots based on the amount of precipitation, local topography, and infiltrated water. The flood spot analyses were carried out based on an intense rainfall event, resulting in a total rainfall of 50 mm. Water infiltration into soil was estimated based on the type of soil and type of coverage (paved or natural) using Horton's equation. The results obtained show that in the case of scenario 1, aimed at simply increasing vegetation cover, a reduction of 50 m3 of runoff was achieved, but it was not enough to significantly mitigate the flooded area on the main road, whose total flooded volume was 286 m3. Scenarios 2 and 3, in turn, were able to efficiently avoid flooding of the main road, with no flooding spots being observed in both, which was expected considering that the interventions in both scenarios enable increased infiltration and temporary storage of rainwater. The results of this study indicate a possible approach to be followed to compare different NbS with a view to its use as a measure of rainwater management.
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Nature-based solutions applied in urban drainage systems: a case study using GIS hydrological based modelling
Published:
14 October 2024
by MDPI
in The 8th International Electronic Conference on Water Sciences
session Water Resources Management, Floods and Risk Mitigation
Abstract:
Keywords: Nature-based Solutions; sustainable drainage; rainwater; hydrological modeling