Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Urban stormwater management is a critical aspect of sustainable urban development, with green infrastructure emerging as a promising approach to mitigate the adverse impacts of stormwater runoff. This thesis focuses on assessing the effectiveness of green infrastructure in managing stormwater in urban areas. The study aims to investigate the performance of various green infrastructure practices, such as green roofs, permeable pavements, rain gardens, and bioswales, in controlling stormwater quantity and quality. The research methodology involves a comprehensive literature review to establish the current state of knowledge on green infrastructure and stormwater management. This will be followed by field investigations and data collection to evaluate the performance of existing green infrastructure installations in urban settings. Various parameters, including runoff volume reduction, pollutant removal efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and community acceptance, will be analyzed to assess the overall effectiveness of green infrastructure in stormwater management. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the understanding of the benefits and limitations of green infrastructure in urban stormwater management. The results will provide valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and environmental professionals in designing and implementing sustainable stormwater management strategies. By promoting the adoption of green infrastructure practices, cities can enhance their resilience to climate change, improve water quality, and create more livable urban environments. Overall, this thesis seeks to advance knowledge in the field of urban stormwater management by critically evaluating the effectiveness of green infrastructure solutions. The research outcomes will offer practical recommendations for optimizing the design, implementation, and maintenance of green infrastructure projects to achieve sustainable stormwater management goals in urban areas.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Assessing the Effectiveness of Green Infrastructure in Urban Stormwater Management" aims to investigate and evaluate the impact of green infrastructure on managing stormwater in urban areas. Green infrastructure refers to natural or nature-based solutions designed to mimic natural hydrological processes, reducing the volume and improving the quality of stormwater runoff. In urban settings, where impervious surfaces dominate, traditional stormwater management systems often contribute to flooding, pollution, and ecosystem degradation. Therefore, implementing green infrastructure techniques such as green roofs, permeable pavements, rain gardens, and bioswales can offer sustainable alternatives to conventional grey infrastructure. The research will commence with a comprehensive literature review to explore existing studies, methodologies, and best practices related to green infrastructure and stormwater management. This review will provide a theoretical foundation for the study, highlighting the benefits, challenges, and effectiveness of green infrastructure in mitigating urban stormwater issues. Additionally, the review will identify gaps in the current knowledge base, informing the research methodology and data collection process. The methodology section will outline the research design, data collection methods, and analytical techniques employed in assessing the effectiveness of green infrastructure. The study will likely involve field observations, data collection from existing green infrastructure projects, stakeholder interviews, and possibly modeling techniques to simulate stormwater scenarios. By combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, the research aims to provide a holistic understanding of the performance of green infrastructure in urban stormwater management. The findings section will present the results of the research, including the evaluation of different types of green infrastructure, their performance in reducing stormwater runoff, improving water quality, and enhancing urban biodiversity. The analysis will also consider factors such as cost-effectiveness, maintenance requirements, community acceptance, and scalability of green infrastructure solutions. By synthesizing the data collected, the research aims to draw conclusions on the overall effectiveness of green infrastructure in urban stormwater management. Lastly, the conclusion and recommendations section will summarize the key findings of the study, highlighting the strengths and limitations of green infrastructure in addressing urban stormwater challenges. Based on the research outcomes, recommendations will be provided for policymakers, urban planners, and practitioners on integrating green infrastructure into future urban development projects. The research aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable stormwater management practices and promote the widespread adoption of green infrastructure as a viable solution for creating resilient and environmentally friendly urban environments.