Modern stormwater management approaches in urban regeneration

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MODERN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
APPROACHES IN URBAN REGENERATION
Magdalena Vasilevska 1
Ljiljana Vasilevska 2 UDK: 551.578.1:711.4
DOI: 10.14415/konferencijaGFS2018.052
Summary: In response to climate change, the negative effects of urbanization and
industrialization, as well as numerous socio-economic, physical and environmental
changes in urban areas and urban catchments, developed countries have generated and
implemented several integrated stormwater management approaches. They are based on
the principle of longer and safe stormwater retention in the urban catchment, which is
achieved through the application of a number of systemic measures and technical
elements designed to have minimal influence on the natural hydrological cycle. The
benefits of their applications are multiple, as indicated by the experience of countries
that enabled the integration modern stormwater management approaches into the
process of urban planning and design, through defining the appropriate legal and
institutional framework.
Keywords: modern stormwater management approach, urban planning, urban design,
urban regeneration, integration
1. INTRODUCTION
In the last decades a several modern stormwater management approaches have been
developed. Scientific thought has dealt with various aspects of this issue, such as the role
and significance of modern approaches [1] [2], the relationship between modern
approaches and urban planning and design [3], as well as recommendations for the
application of individual measures and technical elements [3]. However, as current
planning theory and practice made a significant shift towards implementation of modern
approaches, moreover to their integration into the urban planning and design process,
research of this type is important and necessary.
In the unbuilt/newly-planned areas, the measures and elements of modern stormwater
management approaches are selected and applied according to the characteristics of
natural conditions, while in the urban environment the character and the possibility of
their application are additionally dependent on the characteristics of the existing physical
structures. In the second case, when the upgrading and/or reconstruction of the existing
system is performed, the planning and design tasks are much more complex, due to the
1 Magdalena Vasilevska, mast.inž.arh., Građevinsko-arhitektonski fakultet Univerziteta u Nišu, e-mail:
magdalena.vasilevska@gaf.ni.ac.rs
2 Dr Ljiljana Vasilevska, red.prof., Građevinsko-arhitektonski fakultet Univerziteta u Nišu, e-mail:
ljiljana.vasilevska@gaf.ni.ac.rs

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complexity of the practical options for solving the problems related to the quantity and
quality of stormwater in the built environment, as well as the fact that activities related to
the reconstruction of the existing system are most often realized within the framework of
urban regeneration projects, which is even more complex process according to the goals
and structure.
In addition to the general characteristics of modern stormwater management approaches,
the main goal of this paper is the analysis of the genesis and development of the
conceptual framework for integrating modern approaches into the urban planning and
design process, as well as the benefits that arise from this. The focus of the research is on
urban regeneration, as one of the key methods and tool of urban planning and design.
2. METHODOLOGY
In analyzing the basic characteristics and possibilities of applying modern stormwater
management approaches and exploring the methodological and conceptual framework of
their integration into the process of urban planning and design, the methodological
framework is based on an analytical approach which relies on description and analysis.
3. ORIGIN AND BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT APPROACHES
Modern stormwater management approaches have been created as a result of the need to
find answers to the global changes and the problems that human society has been facing
for the last few decades, such as: 1) rapid urbanization; 2) industrialization; and 3)
climate change. Some UN projections indicate that the potential risks of global climate
change are: a) an increase in the average temperature by 3° C by 2070; b) reduction of
average rainfall amounts by 20-40% by 2070; c) increasing the sea level in cooperation
with storm events; and d) an increase in the frequency and intensity of the storm periods,
where there are some countries and regions with varying degrees of vulnerability.
Rapid urbanization, which reflects in the fact that in 2007, for the first time on a global
scale, the number of urban population equaled the number of rural population and that
since then, it has steadily increased by an average of about 1.5 million inhabitants every
week, that by 2025. there will be about 40 cities with a population of more than 10
million, or that since 1990, the number of people living in slums increased by 33%,
disrupted the natural water cycle and influenced major imbalances in the urban water
cycle.
Unlike the natural environment, where over 50% of the rainwater infiltrates through the
soil (25% shallow and 25% deep infiltration), about 40% is regulated by
evapotranspiration, while only about 10% of the rainwater is retained on the surface, in
the urban environment the situation is quite different. Namely, due to the high
participation of non-porous surfaces, only about 15% of the rainwater is infiltrated (10%
shallow and only 5% deep infiltration), evapotranspiration participates with about 30%,
while more than half of the total rainfall is about 55% . In the central, densely built urban
areas, the share of surface rainfall ranges from 80% to as much as 100%, ie there is no

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possibility of infiltration or it is reduced to a minimum. Numerous studies indicate a
direct connection between the intensity of the urbanization process (expressed by
increasing population density and greater participation of impermeable surfaces) with an
increase in the amount of rainfall that is retained on the surface (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Influence of the intensity of urbanization on the increase of surface rainfall [4]
The need to streamline the solutions to problems and challenges arising from the process
of rapid urbanization in a socially sustainable way, and to adapt urban areas to climate
change such as increasing the frequency and intensity of storm events, is directly related
to the need to establish and implement an effective, new stormwater management
approaches. In line with that, in the last decades, several new, innovative approaches and
principles of stormwater management have been developed, e.g. the drainage of rain and
stormwater in urban areas, which are conceptually based in a completely different way
compared to traditional atmospheric water management systems. The following basic
goals of new approaches are defined [2]: 1) replace and/or increase the capacity of the
existing drainage system in urban catchments by mimicking nature environment; 2)
solve the flooding problems; 3) solve the problems associated with stormwater quantity
and quality.
Although the initial researches and patterns of stormwater management were initially
motivated by the specific characteristics and problems of the country in which they were
created, today most of them have an integrated approach to the problem, through the
tendency to deviate from the natural hydrological cycle and the conditions that are
present in the urban catchment. Under the paradigm of sustainable development, modern
approaches are based on additional common goals, which are simultaneously in synergy
with the primary goals of urban planning and design, such as: 1) improving the
characteristics of the built environment - increasing the quality of life; 2) improving the
quality of water resources; 3) reduction of negative impacts of stormwaters and risk
management; and 4) the preservation and improvement of urban ecosystem.

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The most recognized and prominent modern stormwater approaches are Water Sensitive
Urban Design (WSUD) in Australia, Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) and
Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) in Great Britain and Scotland, Best
Management Practices (BMPs) and Low Impact Development (LID) in the United
States, Alternative techniques (ATs) in French speaking countries, Source Control in
Canada, etc. [5].
For example, Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) is an stormwater management
approach that takes into account the amount of water (flooding), water quality
(pollution) and questions of affection, while in technical terms it presents a set of
management practices, control facilities and strategies designed to efficiently and
effectively drain surface water, while reducing pollution to the smallest possible extent
and managing the impact of quality on local water bodies. On the other hand, WSUD is
an approach based on the integration of stormwater management into the process of
urban planning and design in order to reduce environmental degradation and improve its
sustainability and attractiveness [6]. However, regardless of specificity and certain
differences, all approaches are commonly based on the same conceptual definition
(Figure 2) - replacement of the existing drainage system in urban basins or creating new
drainage systems using measures and elements that imitate or support the natural
environment [1].
1 Figure 2. Evolution in stormwater management [7]
Also, all approaches offer a set of different technologies and ways of treating rainfall.
There are four basic treatments, which are applied in modern approaches, separately or
in combination, and which are also representative of the evolution of contemporary
approaches in relation to the traditional approach (Figure 3). These are: 1) infiltration; 2)
disposal; 3) storage; and/or 4) re-use of atmospheric water. Each of the treatment modes
involves the application of different systemic measures and technical elements.

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Depending on the approach, the elements are differently defined, although in general
they have the same function.
2 Figure 3. Traditional vs. modern stormwater management approach [8]
Thus, WSUD recognizes the following elements: 1) swales (dry or wet); 2) filter
trenches; 3) sand filters; 4) bioretension systems; 5) porous paving; 6) infiltration
channels; 7) infiltration basins; 8) rainwater tanks; and 9) elements of landscape
architecture. In the framework of SuDS, the division of elements is as follows: 1) porous
paving (pedestrian communication and other surfaces); 2) filter belts; 3) filter and
infiltration trenches; 4) swales (dry or wet); 5) retention ponds; 6) underground rainwater
storage tanks; 7) swamps; and 8) little water surface - lakes (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Technical elements of SuDS integrated in the process of urban regeneration in
residential ares of Augustenborg, Malmo [9]

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Infiltrationbased elements are primarily designed to dispose atmospheric water into the
ground, with its complete removal through the drainage system from the atmospheric
sewage, which also requires the use of porous substrates. Storage-based elements retain
part of the flow but have limited capacity (when it reaches, excess water goes into
atmospheric sewage). Some of the elements, such as bioretensions, can provide both,
while many approaches offer a combination of infiltration and storage by the application
and incorporation of a set of technical elements into the whole system.
In addition to the above, other technical elements, such as sedimentary basins - basins
for collecting deposits, tampon systems, elements for the treatment of street timber, are
possible, and also the use of green roofs (Figure 4). It should be noted that green roofs
are not a compulsory technical element of contemporary approaches, since adequate
rainwater treatment can be realized without them. However, the green roofs are
recognized through practice as an important technical and aesthetic element in the
integrated stormwater management approach, which, in addition to turning and
channeling the drainage from the combined sewage system to the green areas with
infiltration systems (1), and the transfer of atmospheric waters from the traffic surfaces
through shallow greened liner bioretentions in the lakes or dry depression in the open
space (2), became the third, most well-known and applied measure in time (Figure 4).
4. BENEFITS OF INTEGRATING MODERN STORMWATER
MANAGEMENT APPROACHES IN THE PROCESS OF URBAN
REGENERATION
Preconditions for the development of modern approaches and their subsequent
integration into the urban planning and design process originated in the 1980s. Under the
paradigm of "living with water", there was a general departure from the concept of water
as “urban and city life enemy” and “hidden element behind pipes and taps”, to an
“element that contributes to the quality of life”. In addition to providing an opportunity
to integrate modern approaches into the process of urban planning and design, these
circumstances also favored a radical change in the urban development paradigm [10],
primarily in terms of the evolution of the role of urban water cycle management, its
conceptual framework integration and cumulative socio-economic factors (Figure 5).
The basic intention of the new conceptual framework is to establish a greater harmony
between water as a key resource and the social community through a process of urban
planning and design in a sustainable, socially rational and responsible way. Accordingly,
the goals of integrating modern approaches in the conceptual and methodological
framework of urban planning and design, including urban regeneration, is to create an
attractive, functional and "environmentally-friendly" urban environment. In that term,
with its physical and functional structure, this environment would be adapted to future
challenges of urbanization, environmental protection and climate changes.
This determination certainly involves the transformation of a traditional urban approach,
whose principles of planning and design and the accompanying methodological
framework are often based on sectoral and ex post consideration of the problem of
channeling stormwaters. Instead, a modern urban approach has been established, which
is both conceptually and methodologicaly ex ante ''water sensitive'', which can have

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numerous benefits for the utilization and design potential of urban spaces and its
ecological characteristics (Figure 6).
Figure 5. Relations between the evolution of stormwater management, cumulative socio-
political drivers, urban planning and design process and transformation of the city [10]
Figure 6. Difference between traditional and modern approach and their influence on
characteristics of urban areas in urban design and regeneration process [11]

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On the other hand, modern approaches, in contrast to the traditional ones, offer the
possibility, in addition to reducing the amount of surface waters and flooding of the area,
to form or increase the degree of utilization and design potential of the urban
environment, both newly planned and already existing (Figure 4). In this way, the
principles of modern approaches are in correlation with the principles of current
theoretical approaches to urban development and urban planning and design, such as
New Urbanism, Smarth Growth and TOD - Transit Oriented Development. Modern
approaches are also in close correlation with the European 2020 Strategy (EU 2020), the
Green Infrastructure and Green Urbanism. Modern approaches have thus become
important as a conceptual framework and as a methodological tool of urban planning and
design which leads to: improving recreation and housing features, creating quality open
spaces/multifunctional open spaces, increasing the level of biodiversity in the urban
areas, allowing closer contact with nature, reducing the effects of the thermal island or
re-use of rainwater.
In addition to practical solutions related to the management of quantity and quality of
stormwater, modern approaches provide a whole set of planning and design solutions
and possibilities in the development of newly-planned and/or regenerated inherited sites.
Because they are based on the application of measures and elements that imitate or
support the natural environment, contemporary approaches provide the possibility of
applying a wide range of different elements in forming or improving the usable and
design potential of urban spaces, since each technical element has its own specific use
and design characteristics (Figure 4). The experiences of the countries that have
integrated modern stormwater management approaches in the process of urban
regeneration indicate that the effects of applying their principles, measures and technical
elements (at different spatial and functional levels of the organization of the urban
environment) influenced a higher degree of its: 1) sustainability; 2) flexibility and
adaptability; 3) the ability to respond to climate change; and 4) ecological comfort and
sense of comfort [12].
The application of modern approaches, either through comprehensive or partial
coverage, is particularly important in housing areas. The approaches are of particular
importance for the treatment of public, semi-public and private open spaces within these
areas, since the quality of life depends largely on the types of organization, typological
structure, use and design potential. As most approaches support "environmentally
friendly" housing and lifestyle, the previously mentioned technical elements (green
roofs, bioretensions, rain gardens, porous paving, etc.) are in direct relation to the degree
of usable and design quality of open spaces an its key characteristic: 1) ecological
comfort, which is evaluated through indicators, such as physical isolation in relation to
streets (a), percentage of green areas, their position and form/type (b), and percentage of
increase in biodiversity (c); 2) diversification of contents and forms of open spaces; 3)
the level of safety and privacy, which is evaluated through indicators, such as
implemented materials for construction of open spaces surfaces and communications (a)
[13], various forms of visual and physical protection and barriers (b), spatial distance
and size of the area that is isolated from access to the motor traffic or communications
access and views of the pedestrian communication (c) and other physical dimensions and
urban and architectural design arrangements (d); 4) social sustainability.
When it comes to the relations between modern approaches and landscape architecture,
it is possible to identify three dominant design approaches: 1) traditional; 2) integrated;

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and 3) artful. The traditional approach does not have any additional benefits for shaping
the space and quality of life in the urban environment, since the stormwater is directly
driven into the separate sewage system. An integrated approach is based on
incorporation of technical elements of modern approaches into the process of planning
and design of open space. Artful rainwater design refers not only to channeling the
stormwater, but also to the transformation of space and the creation of its identity, based
on the benefits and design possibilities of the technical elements of modern approaches.
Examples of good practice suggest that modern stormwater management approaches
have found their adequate application within the process of urban regeneration as one of
the key methods in the urban planning process and design of inherited urban structures.
5. CONCLUSION
Most modern approaches are in full synergy with urban regeneration as one of the key
methods of a sustainable and socially rational process of urban planning and design.
Based on the conducted analysis, it can be concluded that environmental improvements,
improvement of the built environment and empowerment of the local community are
recognized as key benefits of implementing the modern stormwater management
approaches in urban regeneration process. The analysis of current theoretical and
practical experiences has shown that the benefits of applying modern approaches within
urban regeneration are numerous and, among others, include: 1) reducing the risks and
incidents of floods; 2) improving usage and morphologic characteristics of urban areas,
especially the open spaces; 3) providing ways to supplement the water supply systems in
areas that are under stress; 4) efficient rainwater treatment, 5) improving biodiversity, 6)
reducing the impact of urban heat island. All these represent a contribution to mitigating
the expected negative impacts of climate change.
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САВРЕМЕНИ ПРИСТУПИ КАНАЛИСАЊА
КИШНОГ ОТИЦАЈА У УРБАНОЈ РЕГЕНЕРАЦИЈИ
Резиме: Као одговор на климатске промене, негативне ефекте урбанизације и
индустријализације, као и бројне социо-економске, физичке и енвајронменталне
промене у урбаним срединама и урбаним сливовима, у развијеним земљама су у
последњих неколико деценија генерисани и имплементирани интегрисани
приступи каналисања кишног отицаја, односно управљања атмосферским
водама. Они се заснивају на принципу дужег а безбедног задржавања кишнице у
урбаном сливу, што се постиже применом низа системских мера и техничких
елемената осмишљених тако да што мање утичу на природни хидролошки
циклус. Користи њихове примене су вишеструке, на шта указује искуство земаља
које су кроз дефинисање одговарајућег законског и институционалног оквира
омогућиле интеграцију примене савремених приступа каналисању кишног отицаја
у процес урбанистичког планирања и пројектовања.
Кључне речи: савремени приступи каналтисања кишног отицаја, урбанистичко
планирање, урбанистичко пројектовање, урбана регенерација, интегрисање