Sustainable Stormwater Handling and Water System Urban Design. : A literature review and a case study in Nacka, Sweden.

Abstract: Climate change presents us with greater and greater challenges and stormwater is an important part of our future water problems. In some parts of the world the increase and intensification in precipitation causes strain on existing infrastructure while, in others, draughts are becoming more and more severe. Handling stormwater sustainably does not only gain the environment by controlling pollutant spreading, helping with flooding control and water reuse but can also have added values in urban areas if included in urban planning. Implementing green infrastructure and sustainable stormwater solutions creates jobs and are in many countries seen as the future way of handling stormwater. There are many different techniques and ways of adopting sustainable stormwater handling depending on the local problem and physical as well as economic conditions. Together they all have in common of creating added values when implemented. Increased biodiversity, improved air quality, reduced noise, improved growing conditions for urban trees and aesthetical values that have a positive effect on human health are just some of the positive added values of sustainable stormwater handling. The case study in this report concerns a new development on a peninsula in the municipality on Nacka, Stockholm. The recommendation is to adopt the approach of many small solutions that combines to a sustainable way of handling stormwater that not only solves the problem but creates added values in the living and working area. Stormwater is a resource that should be used as one in order to have sustainable urban planning.