Design and Evaluation of Sustainable Urban Stormwater Management Systems

Thesis Abstract

Urban stormwater management faces increasing challenges owing to rapid urbanization, climate variability, and the environmental degradation associated with conventional drainage systems. These traditional approaches often lead to urban flooding, water quality deterioration, and loss of ecological functions, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions that integrate ecological, social, and economic considerations. This study aims to design and evaluate sustainable stormwater management systems that effectively mitigate flood risks, improve water quality, and promote sustainable urban development. The specific objectives include identifying best practices in green infrastructure, developing a comprehensive framework for sustainable stormwater system design, and assessing the performance of selected strategies through empirical analysis. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. The study employs a case study design within a metropolitan city with a population of approximately 3 million residents. A sample of 200 stormwater infrastructure sites, selected through stratified random sampling, forms the basis for quantitative data collection. Data are gathered using structured field measurements, water quality assessments, and a semi-structured interview protocol targeting urban planners, environmental engineers, and local authorities. Survey instruments are validated through pilot testing and expert reviews, ensuring content validity, while reliability is confirmed via Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeding 0.8. Data analysis involves descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis to examine relationships between infrastructure types and performance metrics, and ANOVA tests to identify significant differences across strategies. Thematic analysis is employed for qualitative data, capturing stakeholder perceptions and contextual factors influencing system performance. Expected findings are anticipated to demonstrate that green infrastructure elements such as bio-retention cells, permeable pavements, and green roofs significantly reduce peak runoff, improve in-stream water quality, and enhance urban ecological resilience. The study hypothesizes that integrated approaches combining both grey and green infrastructure outperform conventional systems in flood mitigation and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the analysis is expected to reveal contextual factors that modulate system effectiveness, including site-specific characteristics and stakeholder engagement levels. The results aim to establish a set of best practices and design guidelines that urban policymakers and engineers can adopt to promote sustainable stormwater management, aligned with contemporary urban resilience frameworks. This research contributes to existing knowledge by providing a rigorous empirical evaluation of sustainable stormwater strategies within a real-world urban context, addressing a notable gap in comprehensive performance assessment of green infrastructure integration. Furthermore, it advances theoretical understanding by applying systems theory and the socio-ecological systems framework to urban stormwater management, illustrating the interconnectedness of infrastructural, ecological, and social dimensions. The study also introduces a novel decision-making framework that incorporates environmental, economic, and social criteria for holistic assessment. The main conclusion emphasizes that sustainable stormwater management systems, when properly designed and implemented, can substantially mitigate flood risks, enhance water quality, and support ecological sustainability in urban settings. Policy recommendations include advocating for integrated planning approaches, increased investment in green infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement strategies to facilitate adoption and maintenance. Further research suggestions include longitudinal studies on the long-term performance of multiscale green infrastructure projects and comparative analyses across different climatic and urban contexts. Overall, this study aims to contribute actionable insights toward resilient, sustainable urban water management, aligning with global priorities for climate adaptation and sustainable urban development.