Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation and Resilience in Urban Areas

Abstract

Urban areas face several environmental problems and risks related to water management, such as floods and degradation of water quality, enhancing population vulnerability and threatening urban sustainability. These problems are expected to be exacerbated with increasing urbanization and climate change, which leads to higher frequency and intensity of hydrometeorological extremes. Moving towards more flood resilient cities has proven a major challenge, particularly considering the high concentration of population and economic activities and, thus, high pressure on limited available space. Nature-based solutions (NBS) in urban areas favour stormwater retention, infiltration, and filtration, contributing to flood mitigation and enhancement of water quality. The effectiveness of different NBS on stormwater management, however, is influenced by design and placement aspects, but a network of connected NBS elements can improve flood mitigation and enhance urban resilience. Stronger evidence of the advantages of NBS, however, is still required to overcome the current challenges and barriers impairing their wider implementation in urban areas.

Study on Suburban Land Use Optimization from the Perspective of Flood Mitigation—A Case Study of Pujiang Country Park in Shanghai

“…Notably, even within scenario P, the observed reduction in inundation area remains modest. Consequently, although ecological spaces such as country parks may bolster adaptability to flood-related hazards [34][35][36], their efficacy in impact mitigation of infrequent yet intense rainfall events remains constrained [37,38]. These research findings corroborate previous studies within the field.…”

Put the Land Back on the Land: A National Imperative

“…The implications for eutrophication are considered well known [66,67]. Changes in agricultural operations [68] and the construction of wetlands [39,[69][70][71] have been some of the measures employed to try to control nonpoint source nutrient inputs. Best management practices (BMPs) have proven to be largely inadequate for restoring eutrophic lakes; thus, additional measures will be needed to reduce internal nutrient supplies [61,72].…”

Evaluation of Annona diversifolia Seed Extract as A Natural Coagulant for Water Treatment

“…Another main problem with the present research is the lack of investment in nature-based solutions (NBS). Despite research evidence that proves the benefits of NBS to both humans and the environment, insufficient investments are being made toward their implementation [47][48][49][50][51]. For example, researchers have shown how modified plant-based natural coagulants could serve as good alternatives to chemical-based coagulants [52].…”