Evaluating Flood Risk Reduction by Urban Blue-Green Infrastructure Using Insurance Data

Sörensen, Johanna; Emilsson, Tobias

doi:10.1061/(asce)wr.1943-5452.0001037

Cited by 41 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Limited research has been undertaken to compare intervention effectiveness during moderate to extreme intensity rainfall events which are typically responsible for surface water flooding (Webber et al, 2019). A study by Sörensen and Emilsson (2019) shows how retrofit stormwater control measures help alleviate the impacts of an extreme precipitation event in Malmö, Sweden (50–200 years return period), demonstrating that retrofitted stormwater systems performed better than transitional conventional sewer systems. Despite this, Webber et al (2019) suggest that although catchment‐wide decentralized rainwater capture appears to be the most effective mechanism for managing moderate rainfall events, there is much uncertainty on whether this is a viable solution for larger events and such measures are dependent on space availability within the local catchment.…”

Section: Challenges and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green infrastructure: The future of urban flood risk management?

et al. 2021

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Urban flooding is a key global challenge which is expected to become exacerbated under global change due to more intense rainfall and flashier runoff regimes over increasingly urban landscapes. Consequently, many cities are rethinking their approach to flood risk management by using green infrastructure (GI) solutions to reverse the legacy of hard engineering flood management approaches. The aim of GI is to attenuate, restore, and recreate a more natural flood response, bringing hydrological responses closer to pre‐urbanized conditions. However, GI effectiveness is often difficult to determine, and depends on both the magnitude of storm events and the spatial scale of GI infrastructure. Monitoring of the successes and failures of GI schemes is not routinely conducted. Thus, it can be difficult to determine whether GI provides a sustainable solution to manage urban flooding. This article provides an international perspective on the current use of GI for urban flood mitigation and the solutions it offers in light of current and future challenges. An increasing body of literature further suggests that GI can be optimized alongside gray infrastructure to provide a holistic solution that delivers multiple co‐benefits to the environment and society, while increasing flood resilience. GI will have to work synergistically with existing and upgraded gray infrastructure if urban flood risk is to be managed in a futureproof manner. Here, we discuss a series of priorities and challenges that must be overcome to enable integration of GI into existing stormwater management frameworks that effectively manage flood risk. This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water Engineering Water > Planning Water Science of Water > Water Extremes

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Section: Challenges and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green infrastructure: The future of urban flood risk management?

et al. 2021

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“…We chose this specific case because it is a pioneer retrofitting urban project in which the landscape was redeveloped to accommodate the urban runoff from heavy rainfalls through different types of BGS. The project has been proven to technically function well (Sörensen & Emilsson, 2019). Moreover, it is a well-known test-bed project for urban resilience in Europe and it won the UN World Habitat Award in 2010 because of its approach to sustainable development.…”

Section: The Augustenborg Neighbourhoodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blue-Green Playscapes: Exploring Children’s Places in Stormwater Spaces in Augustenborg, Malmö

Mottaghi

Kylin

Kopljar

et al. 2021

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The urbanisation of cities increases the demands on, and complexity of, urban land use. Urban densification is challenging urban green space. Cities have responded to this challenge by adopting a multiple-use strategy where different functions share space. Shrinking open space has to contain solutions for everyday functions such as bicycle parking, waste sorting, blue-green stormwater systems, and playscapes. Values and functions that can reinforce and amplify each other are therefore of interest to study.<em> </em>The present article explores the possibilities for blue-green solutions (BGS) to be used as part of children’s playscapes. BGS are aboveground, ecological stormwater facilities, introduced to prevent flooding and support biodiversity while adding recreational and aesthetic qualities to the urban environment. The objective is to discuss the extent to which ecological and social values can reinforce each other in terms of encouraging children to engage with BGS natural elements. The researchers have studied the Augustenborg residential neighbourhood in Malmö. The area was primarily investigated through a postal survey, which identified a remodelled park with a floodable sunken lawn as a potentially attractive area for children’s activities. The park was analysed as a potential playscape and supported by on-site observations. The study shows that even if BGS largely meet children’s play values, due to existing socio-spatial structures, children are not using the offered play features. The article discusses the results in terms of how stormwater management may enhance the actualisation of play potentials in children’s everyday living environment.

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“…Interest in the capabilities of green infrastructure installations to reduce runoff and minimize the risk of basement flooding has been growing in recent years. Flood damage observed in neighborhoods in an area of Sweden in response to an extreme precipitation event with an estimated return period between 50 and 200 years were compared by Sörensen and Emilsson (2019). These authors found that neighborhoods with bluegreen infrastructure (including stormwater detention ponds, green roofs, and swales) resulted in less damage compared to areas in the city having conventional stormwater management (i.e., combined or separate pipe networks).…”

Section: Catchment-scale (Or Neighborhood-scale) Green Infrastructure Installationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing Urban Flood Risk Through Building- and Lot-Scale Flood Mitigation Approaches: Challenges and Opportunities

Sandink¹,

Binns²

2021

Front. Water

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Urban flooding events are a significant driver of disaster loss, resulting in insured and uninsured losses, property damage, and negative impacts on residents and communities in Canada and internationally. The risk of flooding in urban environments is affected by watershed characteristics, environmental conditions, and the presence and condition of flood management and mitigation technologies. Several building- and lot-scale (or private-side) flood mitigation options are available to better protect properties from the risk of flooding, including backwater valves and foundation drainage systems to reduce the risks of sewer surcharge and infiltration flooding into basements, respectively. The overall success of private-side approaches to reduce the risk of flooding into buildings is reliant upon consistent installation procedures, building code interpretation and enforcement, public engagement, and maintenance. Current research into private-side approaches is presenting many opportunities and solutions for improved flood protection against water-related disasters at home. A greater understanding of the performance of private-side technologies under complex site-specific conditions can help to appoint flood prevention strategies better suited to individual home characteristics. This review paper explores the inter-related factors that affect the risk of basement flooding and explores the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption and success of private-side flood mitigation approaches. Developing a greater understanding of basement flood vulnerability at the lot-scale will assist in identifying and prioritizing private-side strategies for homeowners to adopt and reduce the risk of flooding based on site-specific conditions affecting flood vulnerability. Continued efforts to evaluate and identify flood risk factors and the performance of private-side strategies are needed to better manage urban flooding events.

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Evaluating Flood Risk Reduction by Urban Blue-Green Infrastructure Using Insurance Data

Cited by 41 publications

References 30 publications

Green infrastructure: The future of urban flood risk management?

Green infrastructure: The future of urban flood risk management?

Blue-Green Playscapes: Exploring Children’s Places in Stormwater Spaces in Augustenborg, Malmö

Reducing Urban Flood Risk Through Building- and Lot-Scale Flood Mitigation Approaches: Challenges and Opportunities

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