Nature-Based Solutions to Manage Storm Runoff in Urban Bengaluru – A Prelude

Authors

  • Arunkumar Y. UG Students, Department of Civil Engineering., GAT, Bengaluru.
  • Krithika Priyavardhini S UG Students, Department of Civil Engineering., GAT, Bengaluru
  • Radhika K N Senior Geologist, GeoExpOre Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru

Keywords:

Stormwater, Runoff, Nature-Based Solutions, Bengaluru, Urbanization

Abstract

Excess stormwater in urban areas leads to an emerging disaster like Urban floods. Urban flooding in recent times has received considerable attention globally due to its disastrous impacts owing to loss of human lives and damage to infrastructure. Urban flooding diverges from flash flooding by the fact that, with the advancements in urbanization, the urban flood increases from 1.8 to 8 times and flood volumes by up to six times. Rapid population growth and rampant urbanization over the years have encroached the existing water bodies resulting in a decrease in rainwater infiltration and increased runoff and flood rates.
This research paper examines the potential of nature-based solutions to manage storm runoff in urban Bengaluru. The study assesses the current state of stormwater management in the city and evaluates the effectiveness of different nature-based approaches, including green roofs, rain gardens, and permeable pavements. The results of the study demonstrate that nature-based solutions can significantly reduce the volume of stormwater runoff and improve water quality in urban areas. The study serves as a prelude to future research on the implementation and scalability of nature-based solutions for stormwater management in Bengaluru and other urban areas. Overall, this research suggests that nature-based solutions can provide a cost-effective and sustainable approach to manage storm runoff in Bengaluru and have the potential to improve the overall livability and resilience of the city.

References

UNEP. (2018). Nature’s solutions to climate change: A report for policy makers. United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/ resources/un-environment-2018-annual-report

Ramachandra T. V., Vinay S., et.al. “Bengaluru’s reality: towards unlivable status with unplanned urban trajectory.” Current Science, Vol. 110, No.12, (2016), 2207-2208

Dyson & Tim. “Population and Development: The Demographic Transition, London/New York”. Zed Books (2010).

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure: Action Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.epa. gov/green-infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure

Avinash S., Prasad K.L., et.al. “Influence of Land Use Changes on Urban Flooding: Case Study of Bengaluru City, India.” International Journal of Water Resources Engineering, Vol. 5, (2019), 50-51.

Tejas K., Radhika K.N. and Mukherjee B. “Impact of decadal change in basin morphometry due to Urbanization – Bengaluru, India”. Eco. Env. & Cons., Vol. 27(2), (2021), 879-882.

Joshi P. S. & Radhika K.N. “Carbon Footprint Influence on and its of Indian Metropolitan Climate Change-A Prelude”. NCCSTM, (2018), 79-80.

Carter T., Fowler L., & Kachergis, E. “Green roofs in sustainable landscape design.” Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 41(11), (2007), 4317-4322.

Environmental Protection Agency. (2019). “Green roofs: Economic benefits for public and private decision- makers”.

Dunnett, N., & Kingsbury, N. (2008). “Planting green roofs and living walls”. Timber Press.

Bjorkman J., Nilsson C., & Dahné A. “Restoring floodplains: effects on flood levels, nutrient dynamics, and biodiversity—a catchment scale experiment”. Ecological Engineering, Vol. 56, (2013), 52-64.

US Army Corps of Engineers. (2015). “Flood risk management program”. Retrieved from https:// www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Flood- Risk-Management/

Kim H. S., Han M. Y., Kim Y. J., & Jeon J. Y. “Quantitative analysis of the effect of permeable pavements on urban heat island mitigation”. Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 114, (2013), 361-367.

Davis A. P., & Shokouhian M. “Performance of a permeable pavement system for the treatment of urban stormwater runoff”. Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 90(8), (2009), 2926-2936.

Hunt W. F., Smith J. T., Jadlocki S., Hathaway J. M., & Haram L. E. “Pollutant removal and peak flow mitigation by a porous pavement system”. Journal of Environmental Engineering, Vol 134(5), (2008), 403-408.

Malley Jr., J.P., Roseen, R.M., Ballestero, T.P., and Gardner, K.H. “Evaluating the Effectiveness of Bioretention Cells for Urban Stormwater Management“. Water, Vol 15(5), (2012), 913-928

University of New Hampshire. (2012). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Bio-Retention Cells in Removing Fecal Coliform Bacteria from Stormwater Runoff. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/5/913.

EPA. (1999). Storm Water Technology Fact Sheet: Bioretention. EPA-832-F-00-018. Retrieved from https:// nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=200044BE.TXT.

Chesapeake Stormwater Network. (2011). Bio-Retention. Retrieved from https://chesapeakestormwater.net/ urban-bioretention/

Alatorre L., et al. “Rainwater harvesting for non-potable uses in urban areas of Mexico”. Water Science and Technology, Vol. 77(2), (2018), 447-455.

Li Y., et al. “Economic analysis of rainwater harvesting systems in residential buildings”. Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 202, (2018), 967-975.

Published

2024-04-03