As the climate is changing in more extreme ways there is a need to adapt our landscape accordingly. This is especially important in the urban environment where hard surfaces and minimal vegetation complicates natural runoffs, resulting in floodings with great economic losses.

The case is part of a larger climate change adaptation project, where different experiments and methods will be tried out on three chosen courtyards, in order to deal with the changing climate in the urban landscape.

A natural solution

The rainwater is stored in a lowered green space in the central part of the courtyard where the water is transported from different canals into the ditch. The lowered green space is the center of the design, binding the entire landscape together and creating various recreative spaces. The ditch can hold a water volume of a cloudburst – a 100-year rain event.

Inbetween people and nature

By focusing on aesthetic and plant-based solutions this courtyard accommodates both the residents needs and meets the requirements for water management and biodiversity in an urban context.

Flora and fauna

Instead of leading the water away from the courtyard, it is reused in three water spaces, where water is used for everyday activities and experiences. The water is also used to water the green spaces, which is planted with different fruit trees and bushes supporting biodiversity.