Combat of Retrofitting Urban Drainage Networks with Nature-Based Solutions
UDM NBS Combat
Urban drainage systems face increasing challenges from external factors impacting their effectiveness. Climate change brings more extreme weather and altered rainfall patterns, while urbanization increases sealed surfaces. These changes heighten pressure on sewer networks, exacerbating pluvial flooding and combined sewer overflows, which harm receiving water bodies. To address these issues, many cities now use decentralized rainwater management, like Nature-based Solutions (NBS). NBS reduce and delay runoff, mitigating urban flooding and easing stress on water bodies. Unlike traditional drainage infrastructure, NBS offer co-benefits such as urban cooling, biodiversity enhancement, and improved air quality. Maximizing these benefits and optimizing sewer performance, however, remains a challenge.
The “Combat of Retrofitting Urban Drainage Networks with Nature-Based Solutions” aims to compare different integration methods to investigate the potential of different types of NBS in optimally enhancing the performance of urban drainage networks. Participant teams are asked to submit a list of their optimal implementation to the combat evaluation team, who will evaluate and rank the teams. Participants are asked to present their solutions at the UDM in the combat session, and the winning team will be announced during the award ceremony.
key dates:
- 18.11.2024: release of combat documents
- 15.01.2025: submit 200 words abstract with team name and intended approach
- 30.06.2025: submission of the team solution
- 18.09.2025 award ceremony at the UDM
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