A new direction in the urban runoff and pollution management in the city of Bergen, Norway

Abstract

This paper deals with the new direction in the urban runoff and water environment master planning for the Municipality of Bergen, Norway. The goal is to manage the runoff (wastewater and storm water) in a way that environmental damages are avoided at lowest possible costs. The plan is partly based on the findings in the research program carried out in the Birkeland basin and the subcatchment Sandsli in Bergen since 1981. The solution to the surface water management requires the use of a source control of the water quantity and quality combined with the green trends in the urban storm water management to utilise the capabilities of the urban nature to take up the storm water and to reduce the pollution content in the water. The interaction between the research and the master plan is outlined. In the planning process brooks, rivers and lakes were kept as natural as possible. In evaluating alternative solutions for the urban runoff in the Birkeland basin, the need for better design values and experiences became apparent. Therefore, a research program was started in Birkeland basin and in Sandsli urban hydrological research catchment. The findings in Birkeland and Sandsli have provided valuable data and experiences to the master plan.