GreenStorm – Design and deployment of stormwater nature-based solutions (BGI) for resilient and liveable cities (2023-2027)

Within the GreenStorm project, an international consortium is investigating how nature-based stormwater solutions can be adapted to future climate and how models can be used to describe their function and potential for implementation in urban areas.

Background

Climate change and ongoing urbanisation mean that managing stormwater in built-up areas is becoming an increasing challenge. Therefore, nature-based, so-called blue-green stormwater solutions that aim to manage water locally and in a more natural way are increasingly being used. As such, such solutions have the potential to offer various socio-economic benefits such as:

• Reduced flood risks
• Reduced discharge of pollutants to rivers, lakes and seas.
• More green spaces in cities
• Cooling effect through increased evaporation from plants
• Improved public health
• Increased biodiversity

Nature-based stormwater solutions can thus contribute to climate adaptation and sustainable development through multiple technical, environmental, economic and social benefits. These impacts will become increasingly important as the climate warms. However, climate change also poses challenges for nature-based stormwater solutions, as they have to cope with:

• More intense precipitation (cloudbursts)
• Longer dry periods
• Higher temperatures
• Changing freezing/thawing conditions

Project definition and goals

To meet the challenges of the future, a better understanding of nature-based solutions and their performance under varied and challenging climate conditions is therefore needed. In this project, a range of nature-based stormwater solutions will be investigated through a combination of measurements and computer-aided modelling. As climatic conditions are an important factor for how well nature-based stormwater solutions will perform, the project is carried out in co-operation with partners from France, Italy, Greece, Denmark and Sweden. Based on field measurements, experiments in a climate chamber, and computer modelling, the project will develop recommendations on how nature-based stormwater solutions can be best designed.

A good technical design alone is not sufficient for a successful implementation of stormwater solutions, but a good approach is also required for their successful implementation. A case study in Copenhagen will serve as a demonstration of how neighbourhood residents can be involved in the implementation of nature-based solutions. Experiences from Copenhagen will be compared with Paris, Athens, Genoa and Östersund to identify key factors behind the successful implementation of nature-based stormwater solutions.

Project funding and partners

The Swedish part of the project is funded by Formas as part of the European Joint Programming Initiative - Driving Urban Transitions Partnership, and national funders from France, Denmark, Italy and Greece are funding the work of partners from their respective countries.

Researchers

Working in this project in addition to the researchers pointed out as contact persons, is Vincent Pons External link, opens in new window., postdoctoral fellow in collaboration between NTNU and Luleå University of Technology.