Category: NbS
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Windbreaks
Windbreaks are structures designed implemented in agricultural lands to reduce wind speed. They consist of tree belts, and they help control erosion, boost agricultural yields, and minimize evaporation by modifying wind direction and turbulence. Their effectiveness is influenced by their height, porosity, and placement relative to the wind. Benefits (+) Efficient and effective barriers to…
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Wet Retention Pond
Wet retention ponds are pools that continuously hold water and are designed with additional storage capacity to store surface runoff during heavy rainfall events. They release the stormwater at a controlled rate and improve water quality through downstream infiltration. The ponds can be integrated into public recreation areas. Benefits (+) Regulates heavy rain.(+) Multifunctional use…
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Urban Parks
Parks and forests in urban or peri-urban areas provide several environmental benefits while serving as a public space for recreation, social interaction, exercise and connection to nature. Parks could have multifunctionality by combining various uses such as sport fields or other NbS (e.g. water retention basins) Benefits (+) Provide a place for the public for…
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Underground Water Storages
Underground systems such as installations below public open spaces (sport fields) composed of modular elements where the stormwater enters a vault or a basin through a surface inlet and is temporarily stored, allowing sediments and particles to settle. If the water level reaches a certain height, it is discharges as overflow for further use for…
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Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater is caught and collected from rooftops and other impermeable surfaces. It can be stored and then be used for non-potable uses such as watering of green spaces and parks or non- potable uses at household level. Benefits (+) Collected water for irrigation purpose Limitations (-) Limited control over the water availability.(-) Measure might meet…
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River Branching
Creation of a new river branch and flat riverbanks. The second river branch provides additional flood space. Benefits (+) Provide additional water storage capacity(+) Extra flood space by dividing the discharge into two branches and reduce flood Limitations (-) Significant land use changes (i.e. loss of agricultural land, resettlement etc.)(-) Limitation for river restoration if…
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Reprofiling River Channel Cross Section
Reprofiling of the river channel cross-section towards a wider and more natural profile including shallow and deep waters and fast and slow flowing areas. Benefits (+) Allows sedimentation accumulation and prevent erosion of the riverbank.(+) Discharge capacity of floodwater could be increased.(+) Reduce the flood risk. Limitations (-) Conflict with the neighboring population interests where…
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Renaturation / Revegatation of Water Courses
The NbS focuses on the de-culverting of covered watercourses by the removal of concrete layers as culverting watercourses lead to the degradation of habitats and increases water pollution. This process can be combined with a re-naturalisation of the channel by opening and allowing natural development of riverbed. Benefits (+) Create more space and increased storage…
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Re-meandering of Rivers
Re-meandering the restoration of original curves of the river course by creating new meanders and reconnecting old cut-off ones. Re-meandering aims at reducing the water flow and increasing the length of the river leading to increased water storage capacity. Benefits (+) Slowing the velocity of the river(+) Erosion reduction(+) Aesthetical value Limitations (-) Heavy engineering…
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Infiltration Trenches
Infiltration trenches are shallow excavations filled with rubble or stone that allow water to infiltrate into the surrounding soils from the bottom and sides of the trench. The basins are flat areas planted with grass and normally dry. Benefits (+) Add aesthetic value(+) Reduction of pollutant load Limitations (-) Risk of introducing pollutants to groundwater…