This thesis focuses on optimising the emptying process of water storage facilities in urban areas, and was conducted during my graduate internship at Waterfeit Adviseurs. The study is based on the need to improve the efficiency of the system, as current systems frequently lead to floods and ineffective …

In response to the growing challenges posed by climate change and urbanization, this thesis proposes designing a rain garden as a sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) in Vlissingen, the Netherlands. The primary goal of this project is to create design of a nature-based solution that not only manages …

Sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) or nature-based solutions (NBSs) are widely implemented to collect, store and infiltrate stormwater. The buildup of pollutants is expected in NBSs, and Dutch guidelines advise monitoring the topsoil of bio-swales every 5 years. In the Netherlands, almost every …

Many nature-based solutions are seen as favourable and effective measures to increase urban resilience during more extreme weather events, by for example decrease high temperatures in summer. Since space is often scarce in urban environments, roofs have received increased attention in mitigating the …

Conflict lies at the core of urban sustainability transitions and the indispensable structural changes that accompany them. In this chapter we examine the RESILIO project, a multi-actor collaboration in Amsterdam aiming to transition towards a 'climate proof' city through smart water retention systems …

Promoting healthy and active lifestyles is an important objective for many governing agencies. The design of active urban environments can be an effective tool to encourage more active behaviors and water features can attract people, improving their experience of the urban space. To explore the potential …

How can we design and manage our urban water systems to be resilient, sustainable, circular, ecosystem-based, adaptable and inclusive, and so address the increasing demand for housing and the changing environmental and socio-economic conditions? To identify the challenges ahead, while taking stock of …

Swales are widely used Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) that can reduce peak flow, collect and retain water and improve groundwater recharge. Most previous research has focused on the unsaturated infiltration rates of swales without considering the variation in infiltration rates under extreme …

Stormwater runoff can contain high amounts of Potential Toxic Elements (PTE) as heavy metals. PTE can have negative and direct impact on the quality of surface waters and groundwater. The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) demands enhanced protection of the aquatic environment. As a consequence, …

The ClimateCafe approach is a quick-scan method to monitor riverine and urban areas and discuss the impact of climate change. ClimateCafes consist of transdisciplinary fieldwork during which students, young professionals, stakeholders and scientist come together to collect data and design (potential) …