Climate change adaptation strategies for urban stormwater management : a comparative study of municipalities in Scania

Abstract: Scania is a region vulnerable to climate change and climate models project an increase in extreme precipitation events for this area. Pluvial flooding in urban areas is mostly associated with the large amount of impermeable surfaces and sewer system overload. In 2014 the County Administrative Board of Scania released a regional action plan for adaptation strategies and stormwater is described as an important aspect to integrate in the urban planning. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate if the municipalities in Scania include climate change adaptation of stormwater management within their community and what different adaptive measures that have been taken to reduce risk of climate change impact such as urban pluvial flooding. The thesis also investigated whether there were any association between coastal/ inland municipalities and climate change adaptation of stormwater management. This was investigated through the analysis of data and review of documents, stormwater policies and scientific articles as well as through a Pearson Chi-Square test. The analysis revealed a significant association between coastal/inland municipalities and the presence/absence of a stormwater policy. There was also a significant association between the population density within the municipalities and the presence/absence of a stormwater policy. Climate change adaptation is surrounded by uncertainty and it may be difficult to determine which strategies to prioritize and which authority is responsible. A defined stormwater management in national and regional frameworks could assist the municipalities in the climate change adaptation process of stormwater systems. A stormwater strategy that consists of green infrastructure is a good alternative as this provide several ecosystem services for urban areas. Although the importance of green infrastructure in urban areas is emphasized, climate change adaptation of stormwater management is a slow and complex process and it is therefore essential with guiding documents within the municipalities.