Work

Exploring green infrastructure planning through catchment modelling with stakeholder-informed scenarios

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Urbanization and climate change are putting pressure on urban drainage systems, particularly in cities with aging combined sewers. This study evaluates the effectiveness of green infrastructure (GI) in reducing combined sewer overflow (CSO) durations and pollutant loads under current and future climate conditions. Using a spatially realistic, stakeholder-informed implementation approach, the study addresses modelling uncertainty, evaluation of practical GI implementation strategies, and identifies subcatchments contributing to pollutants in the overflow. An ensemble-based hydrological model and a simplified pollutant load assessment were applied to an urban case study in Trondheim, Norway, using scenarios developed in collaboration with local stakeholders to implement bioretention cells in the catchment. Results showed that GIs limited to public land can reduce CSO durations by up to 63% under the current climate and 65% in the future climate. Evaluation of pollutant loads from critical subcatchments highlighted areas for additional water quality benefits. The study demonstrates that stakeholder-informed modelling provides practical insights for municipalities and supports the development of integrated stormwater management plans.

Source: Blue-Green Systems

DOI: 10.2166/bgs.2025.021

Authors: Merethe Strømberg, Vincent Pons, Franz Tscheikner-Gratl, Tone Merete Muthanna

Institutions: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Luleå University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Urban Stormwater Management Solutions

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Sustainable cities and communities, Climate action

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: European Commission, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme