Hydrological Functioning of an Evolving Urban Stormwater Network

Jovanovic, Tijana; Hale, Rebecca L.; Gironás, Jorge; Mejía, Alfonso

doi:10.1029/2019wr025236

Cited by 11 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 75 publications

(110 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Statistical approaches can help to map the parameter space and guide the choices (O'Hare et al, 2020), but some gaps are already apparent. For example, although 55% of the world population now lives in urban areas (UnitedNations, 2018), urban water quality investigations typically focus on waste water treatment and stormwater (Jovanovic, Hale, Gironás, & Mejia, 2019), with the nonengineered part of urban water quantity and quality being much less studied (Kaushal & Belt, 2012) compared to agricultural or pristine watersheds. More data are available in relatively humid regions compared to semi‐arid and arid conditions (Zimmer et al, 2020).…”

Section: A Road Map Toward Integrated Theoriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward catchment hydro‐biogeochemical theories

Sullivan

Benettin

et al. 2020

WIREs Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Headwater catchments are the fundamental units that connect the land to the ocean. Hydrological flow and biogeochemical processes are intricately coupled, yet their respective sciences have progressed without much integration. Reaction kinetic theories that prescribe rate dependence on environmental variables (e.g., temperature and water content) have advanced substantially, mostly in well‐mixed reactors, columns, and warming experiments without considering the characteristics of hydrological flow at the catchment scale. These theories have shown significant divergence from observations in natural systems. On the other hand, hydrological theories, including transit time theory, have progressed substantially yet have not been incorporated into understanding reactions at the catchment scale. Here we advocate for the development of integrated hydro‐biogeochemical theories across gradients of climate, vegetation, and geology conditions. The lack of such theories presents barriers for understanding mechanisms and forecasting the future of the Critical Zone under human‐ and climate‐induced perturbations. Although integration has started and co‐located measurements are well under way, tremendous challenges remain. In particular, even in this era of “big data,” we are still limited by data and will need to (1) intensify measurements beyond river channels and characterize the vertical connectivity and broadly the shallow and deep subsurface; (2) expand to older water dating beyond the time scales reflected in stable water isotopes; (3) combine the use of reactive solutes, nonreactive tracers, and isotopes; and (4) augment measurements in environments that are undergoing rapid changes. To develop integrated theories, it is essential to (1) engage models at all stages to develop model‐informed data collection strategies and to maximize data usage; (2) adopt a “simple but not simplistic,” or fit‐for‐purpose approach to include essential processes in process‐based models; (3) blend the use of process‐based and data‐driven models in the framework of “theory‐guided data science.” Within the framework of hypothesis testing, model‐data fusion can advance integrated theories that mechanistically link catchments' internal structures and external drivers to their functioning. It can not only advance the field of hydro‐biogeochemistry, but also enable hind‐ and fore‐casting and serve the society at large. Broadly, future education will need to cultivate thinkers at the intersections of traditional disciplines with hollistic approaches for understanding interacting processes in complex earth systems. This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Methods

show abstract

Section: A Road Map Toward Integrated Theoriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward catchment hydro‐biogeochemical theories

Sullivan

Benettin

et al. 2020

WIREs Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Additional considerations are, nevertheless, necessary in dendritic stormwater networks at larger scales [47] because they might result in unanticipated impacts with cascading effects due to synchronized amplified flow volumes [48]. Experimenting similar prototypes may contribute urban planners and stormwater practitioners to identify potential scenarios associated to the complexity of evolving drainage systems [49], as well as the need for practical readiness and openness from professionals for receptivity to change [50].…”

Section: Lessons Learned From the Experimental Transition Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimenting Transition to Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems—Identifying Constraints and Unintended Processes in a Tropical Highly Urbanized Watershed

Chapa

Pérez

Hack

2020

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Green Infrastructure promotes the use of natural functions and processes as potential solutions to reduce negative effects derived from anthropocentric interventions such as urbanization. In cities of Latin America, for example, the need for more nature-based infrastructure is evident due to its degree of urbanization and degradation of ecosystems, as well as the alteration of the local water cycle. In this study, an experimental approach for the implementation of a prototype is presented. The prototype consists of a gray-hybrid element for first flush bio-treatment and runoff detention, adapted to the existing stormwater sewer. The experiment took place in a highly urbanized watershed located in the Metropolitan Area of Costa Rica. The characteristics of the existing infrastructure in the study area at different scales were mapped and compared using the Urban Water System Transition Framework. Subsequently, preferences related to spatial locations and technologies were identified from different local decision-makers. Those insights were adopted to identify a potential area for the implementation of the prototype. The experiment consisted of the adaptation of the local sewer to act as a temporal reservoir to reduce the effects derived from rapid generation of stormwater runoff. Unexpected events, not considered initially in the design, are reported in this study as a means to identify the necessary adaptations of the methodology. Our study shows from an experimental learning-experience that the relation between different actors advocating for such technologies influences the implementation and operation of non-conventional technologies. Furthermore, the willingness of residents to modify their urban environments was found to be associated to their own perceptions about security and vandalism occurring in green spaces. The implementation of the prototype showed that both the hydraulic performance is relevant for considering it as a success, as well as the dynamics of the adapted element with the existing urban conditions. In consequence, those aspects should be carefully considered as the design factors of engineering elements when they are related to complex socio-ecological urban systems.

show abstract

“…Additional considerations are, nevertheless, necessary in dendritic stormwater networks at larger scales [46], because they might result in unanticipated impacts with cascading effects due to synchronized amplified flow volumes [47]. Experimenting with similar prototypes may allow urban planners and stormwater practitioners to identify the emergence of potential unexpected scenarios as a consequence of the complexity of evolving drainage systems [48], as well as the need for practical readiness and openness from professionals for receptivity to change [49].…”

Section: Lessons Learned From the Experimental Transition Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimenting Transition to Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems – Identifying Constraints and Unintended Processes in a Tropical Highly Urbanized Watershed

Chapa¹,

Pérez²,

Hack³

2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Green Infrastructure promotes the use of natural functions and processes as potential solutions to reduce negative effects derived from anthropocentric interventions such as urbanization. In cities of Latin America, for example, the need for more nature-sound infrastructure is evident due to its degree of urbanization and degradation of ecosystems, as well as the alteration of the local water cycle. In this study, an experimental approach for implementation of a prototype is presented. The experiment took place in a highly urbanized watershed located in the Metropolitan Area of Costa Rica. Initially, understanding the characteristics of the study area at different scales was achieved by applying the Urban Water System Transition Framework to identify the existing level of development of the urban water infrastructure, and potential future stages. Subsequently, preferences related to spatial locations and technologies were identified from different local decision-makers. Those insights were adopted to identify a potential area for implementation of the prototype. The experiment consisted on an adaptation of the local sewer to act as a temporal reservoir to reduce the effects derived from rapid generation of stormwater runoff. Unexpected events, not considered initially in the design, are reported in this study as a means to identify necessary adaptations of the methodology. Our study shows from an experimental learning-experience that the relation between different actors advocating for such technologies influences the implementation and operation of non-conventional technologies. Furthermore, the perception of security associated to green spaces was found as a key driver to increase the willingness of residents to modify their urban environments. In consequence, those aspects should be carefully considered as factors of designs of engineering elements when they are related to complex socio-ecological urban systems.

show abstract

Hydrological Functioning of an Evolving Urban Stormwater Network

Cited by 11 publications

References 75 publications

Toward catchment hydro‐biogeochemical theories

Toward catchment hydro‐biogeochemical theories

Experimenting Transition to Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems—Identifying Constraints and Unintended Processes in a Tropical Highly Urbanized Watershed

Experimenting Transition to Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems – Identifying Constraints and Unintended Processes in a Tropical Highly Urbanized Watershed

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About