Title: Planning green infrastructure placement based on projected precipitation data

Abstract

Continued urbanization has led to tremendous changes on the landscape. These changes have exacerbated the effects of extreme climatic events such as flooding because of constrained water infiltration and increased surface flow. Typical runoff control measures involve sophisticated gray infrastructure that guide excess surface flow into storage and disposal sites. In a dynamic climate system, these measures are not sustainable since they cannot be easily modified to accommodate large volumes of runoff. Green Infrastructure (GI) is an adaptable technique that can be used to minimize runoff, in addition to offering an array of additional benefits (urban heat regulation, aesthetics, improved air quality etc.). Strategic placement of GI is key to achieving maximum utility. While physical site characteristics play a major role in determining suitable GI placement sites, knowledge of future precipitation patterns is crucial to ensure successful flood mitigation. Here, suitable GI sites within the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, were determined based on potential impact of an extreme flood event as indicated by site characteristics. Then, the relative potential likelihood of a flood event was determined based on projected precipitation data and knowledge of existing flood zones. By combining potential impact with likelihood information, low, medium, and high priority GImore » implementation sites were established. Results indicate that high priority sites are in the central parts of the city with priority decreasing outward. The GI prioritization scheme presented here, offers valuable guidance to city planners and policy makers who wish to exploit the GI approach for flood mitigation.« less

Authors:

Omitaomu, Olufemi A.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Omitaomu, Olufemi A."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-3078-7196"
• Search orcid.org for ORCID "0000-0002-3078-7196"

Kotikot, Susan M. ^[2]; Parish, Esther S.  ^[1]

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Parish, Esther S."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-9264-6295"
• Search orcid.org for ORCID "0000-0001-9264-6295"

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
2. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

Publication Date:

2020-12-10

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program

OSTI Identifier:

1737482

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC05-00OR22725; 7451

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Journal of Environmental Management

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 279; Journal ID: ISSN 0301-4797

Publisher:

Elsevier

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; green infrastructure; climate change adaptation; floods; projected precipitation; downscaling