Analysis of Water Retention Possibilities Based on Programs, Strategies and Selected Projects in Poland

Abstract

A particularly important and topical issue in contemporary urban planning and urban design is to prevent the current climate threat. The scale of the problem and the forecast of the effects of climate change are shown in the publication of numerous research centers such as NASA and the IPCC. The Report of a temperature increase of 1.5 degrees relative to the preindustrial era has shaken public opinion, however, a less optimistic scenario assumes an increase of 3 degrees. Local governments often face the challenge of rapid and effective response to the effects of climate change. Adaptation strategies to climate change have been developed at the EU level since 2009, in which the so-called White Paper has been passed, recognized as one of the first documents to define goals and measures, and on the national (Polish) level from around 2010. On the basis of strategic documents and research of scientific institutions, many local government units adopt programs aimed at implementing specific solutions. In the light of climate reports, it turns out that one of the most sensitive areas to climate change is water management. Therefore, effective adaptation measures include those aimed at rational management of rainwater. As a result, there are created comprehensive adaptation programs focusing on various sectors of the economy. Some of them are based on elements such as: green infrastructure, support for biodiversity or the implementation of activities in the field of blue-green infrastructure and the idea of "sponge city". They have been analyzed by the authors in terms of their usefulness and compliance with higher level documents. The aim of the study was to look at what actions are undertaken by cities in order to implement adaptation postulates. Selected activities undertaken by local government units of the cities of Olsztyn, Bydgoszcz and Gdańsk were analyzed. For educational purposes there are prepared information brochures for investors, residents and officials. They present the available tools and methods for sustainable rainwater management and increasing the city's resilience to the effects of climate change by increasing retention based on natural-based solutions. Equally important are the projects themselves, which is why another objective of the research was to analyze the implementation for compliance with the stated goal of increasing the retained water and adaptation to climate change of the city. The research methodology is based on desk-research and indirect inventory. A representative example of the research carried out is the implementation of the programs: "Rainwater management systems in the city of Olsztyn" and „Expansion of the rainwater management system in the city of Olsztyn”. The authors conclude that the adopted programs and strategies, as well as the implemented investments, are examples of both beneficial measures to improve water retention in the city, but unfortunately, they are also examples of "tools" to raise funds for investments, there are many in which rainwater is treated as sewage and still go directly to the sewage system.