Planning and maintenance of nature-based stormwater solutions  

Urban growth, densification and climate change are placing major demands on existing wastewater systems and cause modifications to natural run-off and drainage patterns. One way of reducing the detrimental impacts of these phenomena is to base stormwater management on natural principles by employing nature-based solutions (NBS) such as rain beds and green roofs, which have now become popular stormwater management solutions in urban areas. The Klima 2050 Centre has developed a tool that makes the planning, documentation and maintenance of such solutions much easier. NBS installations must be managed correctly from their inception, and this places major demands on their planning, design and construction, and during their operational and maintenance phases. One particular challenge is that such NBSs are currently produced by a variety of suppliers that employ inconsistent terminologies to explain how they work. A shared set of guidelines for relevant documentation will thus facilitate smoother information flow between suppliers and users, and reduce the risk of incorrect use. The tool can be integrated into digital systems, meets MOMD documentation requirements, and has attracted much attention both in Norway and around the world.