Issues and Strategies for Designing Flood Resilient Public Space to Achieve a Balance between Public Amenity and Stormwater Management Infrastructure

Abstract

Managing stormwater close to where it falls is an effective stormwater control method. Since public spaces are densely and widely distributed in cities, they are expected to have a positive impact on flood mitigation as a way of source control, when being integrated with stormwater management functions. However, to design a stormwater public space that balances its use as a public amenity and as stormwater management infrastructure remains an interdisciplinary challenge.This study aims to conclude a design methodology that encompasses a holistic stormwater management philosophy within the site scale, as well as spatial design strategies that make public spaces attractive amenities and part of the urban stormwater management system. To achieve this goal, first, a literature review of various influential stormwater management concepts in urban drainage that have been adopted into urban planning was conducted. Second, an empirical analysis was retrieved from two concrete public space design cases of stormwater parks in the USA and China. It is clarified that large spatial height differences, and sanitary and safety problems of the collected stormwater are two main issues resulting from the conflict between the site’s managing runoff and serving as a public facility, negatively affecting the continuity of landscape effects, usability, etc. Strategies to address these issues are also concluded.