Good rainwater management can make cities healthier places to live, resilient towards climate change and more sustainable overall. Population growth, increasingly polluted drinking water, floorings and more frequent and longer periods of droughts all encourage an optimized use of rainwater in cities.
When rainwater use is approached holistically it can also be used to create synergies between several urban challenges by addressing several areas of urban development at the same time. For example
- turning urban areas green
- reducing heat islands
Multifunctional solutions create more resilient and liveable cities
A large number of synergies and cost-efficiencies can be achieved when rainwater management is integrated into overall urban planning. Cities around the world are increasingly concerned with becoming more resilient to the effects of climate change, including reducing the risk of flooding and rising temperatures. At the same time, many cities are focusing on securing an ample supply of clean drinking water that can sustain a growing population.
Denmark is working towards creating multifunctional solutions which – in addition to managing rainwater and reducing the risk of flooding – also create added value for cities as they contribute to maintaining a sustainable water balance and result in new, attractive recreational areas.
In this respect, Nature Based Solutions (NBS) can play a key role in urban water management and contribute to building cities that are attractive for people to live, work and play in.