CC BY
1UDK 628.1: 551.583
Yarov Yussuf
Kyrgyz National University named after Zhusup Balasagyn
Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
ADAPTATION OF WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS TO CHANGING CLIMATE CONDITIONS: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN
SUSTAINABLE URBAN PLANNING
Abstract: This article examines modern strategies, such as Water-Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and Sponge City Concept, which help create sustainable and adaptive water supply and drainage systems. It explores various innovative approaches to adapting water supply and drainage systems, such as Nature-based Solutions (NBS) and decentralized water systems. Examples of successful solutions in various U.S. cities are provided, emphasizing the importance of integrating water resource management into urban planning to enhance the climate resilience.
Keywords: Water resources, climate change, water supply, urban planning, Nature-based Solutions (NBS), Water-Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), adaptation, drainage management.
INTRODUCTION
The continuous difficulties presented by climate change greatly impact city infrastructure, specifically water supply and drainage systems. Many cities are now confronted with unprecedented challenges to their water management systems due to higher temperatures, erratic rainfall, and more frequent extreme weather conditions like floods and droughts. These problems require immediate attention and resolution, due to the inefficacy of conventional infrastructure in managing climate-induced disruptions.
Climate change impacts the quantity and quality of water resources. Shifts in rainfall patterns may lead to water shortages or excessive runoff, which can put a strain on drainage systems. In crowded urban areas with high water demand, such impacts can lead to significant socio-economic challenges such as water scarcity, infrastructure harm, and increased public health threats.
Urban planners and policymakers are realizing the importance of developing creative and flexible approaches to guarantee the lasting viability of urban water
systems in light of increasing challenges. By including decentralized water management, green infrastructure, and smart water networks in urban development plans, cities can reduce the threats of climate change while enhancing the effectiveness and dependability of their water supply and drainage systems. These strategies not only safeguard cities from present climate risks but also support a more enduring and adaptable tomorrow. The goal of this research is to examine how these innovative approaches contribute to enhancing the resilience of urban systems to climate-related challenges.
MAIN PART. INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ADAPTING WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
Climate change is causing widespread environmental shifts, including rising global temperatures, melting ice caps, and more frequent extreme weather events. One of the most alarming consequences is the increased occurrence of natural disasters, with floods becoming particularly common (fig. 1).
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Figure 1. Number of natural disasters worldwide in 2023, by type [1] Urban centers need to create new approaches to guarantee the sustainability of their water supply and sanitation systems amid ongoing impacts of climate change on water availability and global levels. These methods seek to enhance adaptability, effectiveness, and resilience by tackling both the current and future difficulties posed by climate fluctuations.
Traditional water management relies heavily on large, centralized systems that serve entire urban populations. However, in the face of increasing climate uncertainties, decentralized water systems are emerging as a more adaptable alternative. It distributes the responsibility for water management across smaller, localized units, such as neighborhoods or individual buildings. These systems may consist of rainwater collection, greywater reusing, and on-site wastewater management. Decentralization allows for more flexibility and lowers the chance of system-wide failures in cases of severe weather. Cities can use these systems for flexible water demand needs by easily upgrading and maintaining them as conditions change.
Nature-based solutions (NBS), also known as green infrastructure, play a vital role in boosting urban resilience to climate change. Green infrastructure utilizes natural techniques to control water, enhance water quality, and reduce flood hazards. Green roofs, permeable pavements, rain gardens, and urban wetlands can absorb stormwater, decrease runoff, and alleviate stress on drainage systems. Although many NBS co-benefits are common among different types of circular water NBS, each type can
provide unique co-benefits and water treatment options (table 1).
Table 1. Circular water NBS types [2]
Circular water NBS Scheme Co-benefits Water treatment Non-conventional water types input
Bioretention pond r Controlling runoff peak flows on the site scale, creating terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Capacity to continuously retain stormwater, improve the quality of surface runoff and release it at a controlled rate. Rainwater, stormwater runoff, greywater, wastewater.
Permeable pavement f Reduction of urban flood risk. The runoff infiltrates through the pavement structure, filtered water can be harvested and stored or infiltrated into the ground. Rainwater, stormwater runoff.
Raingarden Enhancement of greenery, flood risk reduction, groundwater recharge. Stormwater is directed away, collected temporarily, and eventually either seeps into the soil or enters the sewage system. Rainwater, stormwater runoff, greywater
Green roof л Retention and detention of precipitation, mitigation of climate change, mitigation of floods, resilience to drought. A green roof has the ability to soak up, diminish, and control water movement. It has the ability to collect, sift, and save rainwater, or transport it to on-site storage tanks. Rainwater
These methods imitate the natural water cycle, capturing and storing water before slowly releasing it, which helps prevent floods and refill groundwater supplies. Green infrastructure also helps to reduce the temperature in cities, improves the atmosphere and supports the diversity of wildlife, which contributes to the development of a comprehensive strategy for adapting to climate change.
The importance of water recycling and reuse technologies is increasing due to the increasing water scarcity in cities due to climate change. Modern wastewater treatment methods, such as membrane filtration and ultraviolet disinfection, make it possible to safely use treated wastewater for irrigation, industrial cooling and toilet flushing. Sometimes highly purified wastewater can be converted to drinking water using methods such as reverse osmosis. By reducing reliance on freshwater sources, water reuse technologies help cities conserve their limited water supplies while minimizing their environmental impact.
URBAN PLANNING AND WATER RESOURCES As cities expand, the inclusion of water resource management in urban planning becomes more important. The increasing populations, climate change, and rapid urbanization are causing cities to prioritize sustainable and resilient water management practices. This stage is crucial in determining how water supply and drainage systems are created, upheld, and adjusted to address present and future challenges.
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One of the most progressive approaches in modern urban planning is WaterSensitive Urban Design (WSUD), which integrates water management into the design of the urban environment. WSUD aims to minimize the environmental impact of urban development by promoting the sustainable use of water resources and improving the resilience of cities to climate change. It focuses on reducing water consumption, increasing water reuse, and managing stormwater to prevent flooding and erosion. The implementation of WSUD in high-priority subcatchments has been shown to significantly reduce flood volumes, achieving reductions between 3,5% and 31,3% for storms with annual exceedance probabilities (AEP) ranging from 1% to 50% [3].
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is a framework that promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources. In the context of urban planning, IWRM emphasizes the need for cross-sectoral collaboration between water management authorities, urban planners, and policymakers to address the multifaceted challenges of water management. This approach ensures that water is treated as an integral part of urban ecosystems, rather than as a standalone resource. IWRM also encourages cities to consider the entire water cycle, from sourcing and distribution to wastewater treatment and recycling, in their planning processes.
The Sponge City Concept, which has been widely adopted in world cities, is an innovative urban planning model that focuses on increasing the city's capacity to absorb, store, and reuse rainwater. This approach involves the strategic use of permeable surfaces, green roofs, wetlands, and other water-retentive infrastructure to mimic the natural water cycle within the urban environment. By acting as a «sponge», the city can reduce the risks of flooding, recharge groundwater supplies, and improve the quality of urban water resources. In addition to environmental benefits, the Sponge City Concept also enhances urban aesthetics and contributes to healthier living conditions.
There are an array of frameworks and concepts that urban planners may select from, making it possible to efficiently and effectively manage water resources in cities [4]. Approaches such as WSUD, IWRM, and many others provide a range of
adaptable solutions to ensure that urban water systems meet the needs of growing populations while minimizing environmental impact.
EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL SOLUTIONS
As the impacts of climate change on water supplies intensify, cities globally are incorporating creative strategies to adjust their water and sanitation infrastructure. The U.S. is highly susceptible to different natural disasters due to its geographical location, resulting in frequent floods and severe droughts. Based on 2024 statistics [5], the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) indicates a - 3,75 value in the a contiguous U.S. states. This level of severity classifies the region as experiencing severe drought. Several American cities are taking the lead in implementing strategies that not only address current water management issues, but also encourage sustainable practices in the long run.
New York leads the way in incorporating green infrastructure to control stormwater and lower the likelihood of urban flooding. The green infrastructure plan of the city focuses on utilizing natural strategies like green roofs, rain gardens, permeable sidewalks, and bioswales to trap and soak up rainwater prior to it reaching the city's sewer system. These solutions assist in preventing sewer overflows by reducing stormwater runoff, which is a significant environmental issue during heavy rainfall. As a component of this effort, New York City also put resources into increasing its green areas, enhancing the vitality of the city environment by tackling water management challenges [6].
Minneapolis has achieved notable advancements in sustainable water management by enacting green infrastructure and effective stormwater management initiatives. The city has adopted methods like permeable sidewalks, green roofs roofs, and rain gardens to manage rainwater flow and lessen the pressure on drainage systems. An initiative worth mentioning is MWMO's Edison High School Green Campus Project, acting as a real-world testing ground for inventive rainwater management and monitoring practices. As part of the project, Public Works in Minneapolis installed rainwater planters around the school to combat flooding and serve as measures to calm
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traffic. This project captures approximately 1,5 million gallons of rainwater annually [7].
Cleveland has applied an innovative approach to water management by redistributing wasteland for rainwater storage and green infrastructure development. The Cleveland City Initiative for Sustainable Development aims to transform abandoned sites into «green infrastructure» that absorbs rainwater, reduces flooding and improves water quality. The Fleet Avenue redevelopment project specifically uses previously vacant land to extract and clear approximately 15 acres of rainwater runoff from adjacent roadside and adjacent facilities. This project included infiltration basins and collects 4,8 million gallons of rainwater annually [8].
With climate change constantly changing, U.S. cities are having to adjust their infrastructure to handle the more frequent extreme weather events. Therefore, cities are implementing creative tactics to enhance their sustainability and guarantee sustainable urban development amidst evolving climatic conditions [9].
CONCLUSION
With climate change affecting global weather patterns, cities around the world are under increasing pressure to modify their water and sanitation systems to withstand severe weather conditions such as floods and droughts. Traditional infrastructure is increasingly at risk, highlighting the need for creative, adaptable and environmentally friendly solutions. Approaches like WSUD, decentralized water management, green infrastructure, and smart technologies have been successful in improving the resilience of urban water systems. Instances in American cities such as New York and Cleveland demonstrate how these methods not only reduce flood risks and water scarcity, but also enhance the sustainability and quality of life in urban spaces.
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