Making the Case for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems as a Nature-based Solution to Urban Flooding

Publication: Book Section
Citation: McKenna Davis and Sandra Naumann 2017: Making the Case for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems as a Nature-Based Solution to Urban Flooding in: Nadja Kabisch, Horst Korn, Jutta Stadler, Aletta Bonn (eds.): Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas. Linkages between Science, Policy and Practice.

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) as a promising nature-based solution are the focus of the new chapter, written by Ecologic Institute's McKenna Davis and Sandra Naumann. The authors utilize a range of case studies and evidence from across Europe to underline the potential of SUDS as a tool to reduce the negative effects of urban flooding and resultant water pollution. The diverse environmental and societal co-benefits are also presented as well as insights on the potential cost-effectiveness of SUDS as compared to grey infrastructure solutions. In addition to highlighting the relative advantages of nature-based solutions, the chapter outlines current social and political barriers, which must be overcome to enable a wider uptake of SUDS, and presents approaches that can be used to support this process. The entire book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license and available for download.

The Springer book "Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas" brings together research findings and experiences from science, policy and practice to highlight and debate the importance of nature-based solutions to climate change adaptation in urban areas. Emphasis is given to the potential of nature-based approaches to create multiple-benefits for society.

The expert contributions present recommendations for creating synergies between ongoing policy processes, scientific programmes and practical implementation of climate change and nature conservation measures in global urban areas.

Language: English
Authorship: McKenna Davis

Sandra Naumann
Published in: Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas. Linkages between Science, Policy and Practice
Published by: SpringerOpen, International
Year: 2017
Dimension: 15 pp.
ISBN: 978-3-319-53750-4 (Print), 978-3-319-56091-5 (Onlinie)
ISSN: 2199-5508 (Series Print ISSN), 2199-5516 (Series Online ISSN)
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-56091-5
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

8.1 Introduction
8.2 Using Green Alongside Grey as an Alternative Approach to Flood Protection
8.3 Making the Investment Case for SUDS
8.4 Fostering a Wider Uptake and Implementation of SUDS
8.5 Addressing Silos and Informational Gaps
8.6 Ways Forward for Increased SUDS Deployment
References
Keywords: Adaptation

Biodiversity

Cities

Climate

Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure

Water

SUDS, Sustainable urban drainage system, nature based solution, flood management

Europe

cost-benefit analysis

Further Links

PresentationSpeechSustainable Urban Drainage Systems – complementing grey with green for improved adaptation

McKenna Davis (Ecologic Institut)

On 18 November 2015, McKenna Davis, Fellow at Ecologic Institute, gave a presentation at the European Conference on Biodiversity and Climate Change on Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. The biennial conference, organized by the German Federal Agency for Nature... Read more

Speech:Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems – complementing grey with green for improved adaptation

Date: 18 October 2015
Location: Bonn, Germany

ProjectHorizon 2020Nature Based Urban Innovation (NATURVATION)

| Fotolia © kalafoto

Nature is important for the urban environment: trees grant shade during the summer months, while parks and lakes function as areas for relaxation, as places where the urban population comes together, and as space where children can experience nature and learn about it... Read more

Nature Based Urban Innovation (NATURVATION)

Duration: Nov 2016 - Oct 2020
Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), International

PublicationArticleNature-based Solutions to Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Urban Areas

| Fotolia © Hubert Körner

Nature-based solutions promoting green and blue urban areas have significant potential to decrease the vulnerability and enhance the resilience of cities in light of climatic change. They can thereby help to mitigate climate change-induced impacts and serve as proactive... Read more

Kabisch, N., N. Frantzeskaki, S. Pauleit, S. Naumann, M. Davis, M. Artmann, D. Haase, S. Knapp, H. Korn, J. Stadler, K. Zaunberger, and A. Bonn. 2016. Nature-based solutions to climate change mitigation and adaptation in urban areas: perspectives on indicators, knowledge gaps, barriers, and opportunities for action. Ecology and Society 21(2):39.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-08373-210239

PublicationBrochureNature-based Solutions to Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Climate change is a global phenomenon that poses risks to sectors across society and the economy. Nature-based approaches can offer sustainable solutions to cope with climate change mitigation and adaptation challenges. The brochure "Nature-based approaches to climate... Read more

Naumann, Sandra; Timo Kaphengst; Keighley McFarland and Jutta Stadler 2014: Nature-based approaches for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The challenges of climate change - partnering with nature. German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), Ecologic Institute, Bonn.

PresentationSpeechNature-based Tools for Urban Adaptation and Improved Human Well-being

Ecologic Institute's McKenna Davis presented insights about the potential of nature-based tools to address urban challenges during Naturparif's 5th annual conference in Paris on 5 June 2014. Based on earlier studies written by the Ecologic Institute on the subject, she... Read more

Speech:Nature-based Tools for Urban Adaptation and Improved Human Well-being

Date: 5 June 2014
Location: Paris, France