Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Stormwater Management as Means to Increase Resilience to Climate Change, Promote Circularity and Improve City Aesthetics

Safe provision and maintenance of water services, as well as the protection of ecosystems and urban communities from extreme climatic events, are becoming increasingly challenging. Climate change is undeniably adding pressure to cities. The continuing urbanisation, city expansion in unsustainable ways, the increased impermeability, the intensified urban heat island effect in combination with changes in weather patterns and the extreme phenomena due to climate change make cities even more vulnerable. It has clearly become obvious that conventional solutions in urban stormwater management, such as grey infrastructure, have already reached the limits in coping with the current and forthcoming impacts of climate change. Focusing on nature-based solutions for stormwater management, this chapter aims to recognize their multiple benefits and efficiency not only in flood prevention but also in matters of climate mitigation and removal of carbon, climate adaptation and increase of resilience in urban environments. Furthermore, such nature-based solutions comprise a sustainability prototype by improving the water quality of the receiving watercourses, protecting ecosystems, biodiversity and ecosystem services, enabling water reuse, and providing aesthetic, amenity and recreational services.