Assessment of Green Infrastructure for Urban Stormwater Management

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Urban stormwater management is a critical component of sustainable urban development, especially in the face of increasing urbanization and climate change impacts. Green infrastructure has gained significant attention as a nature-based solution to mitigate stormwater issues, offering multiple benefits such as flood control, water quality improvement, and enhanced urban aesthetics. This thesis focuses on the assessment of green infrastructure for urban stormwater management, aiming to evaluate its effectiveness, challenges, and opportunities within the urban context. The study begins with an introduction providing background information on urban stormwater management and the increasing importance of green infrastructure as a sustainable approach. The problem statement highlights the current shortcomings in traditional stormwater management practices and the need for innovative solutions. The objectives of the study include assessing the performance of green infrastructure in managing stormwater, identifying limitations and challenges, defining the scope of application, and determining the significance of incorporating green infrastructure in urban planning. A comprehensive literature review is conducted in Chapter Two, covering ten key aspects related to green infrastructure, urban stormwater management, best practices, case studies, and policy frameworks. The review synthesizes existing knowledge, identifies gaps in research, and informs the methodology for the empirical investigation. Chapter Three outlines the research methodology, detailing the research design, data collection methods, sampling techniques, and data analysis procedures. The methodology includes field assessments of green infrastructure projects, stakeholder interviews, surveys, and hydrological modeling to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of green infrastructure in managing stormwater. Chapter Four presents a detailed discussion of the findings derived from the empirical research, analyzing the performance of green infrastructure in various urban settings, addressing challenges such as maintenance requirements, cost-effectiveness, and community acceptance. The chapter also explores opportunities for enhancing the integration of green infrastructure into urban planning and policy frameworks, drawing on successful case studies and lessons learned. In Chapter Five, the conclusion and summary of the thesis synthesize the key findings, implications, and recommendations for future research and practice. The study underscores the importance of green infrastructure as a sustainable approach to urban stormwater management, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts among policymakers, urban planners, engineers, and communities to promote its widespread adoption. Overall, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on green infrastructure and urban stormwater management, providing valuable insights for practitioners, researchers, and decision-makers seeking to address the challenges of urbanization and climate change through nature-based solutions.