Abstract
In the context of global urbanization, urban flood risk in many cities has become a serious environmental issue, threatening the health of residents and the environment. A number of hydrological studies have linked urban flooding issues closely to the spectrum of spatial patterns of urbanization, but relatively little attention has been given to small-scale catchments within the realm of urban systems. This study aims to explore the hydrological effects of small-scaled urbanized catchments assigned with various landscape patterns. Twelve typical residential catchments in Beijing were selected as the study areas. Total Impervious Area (TIA), Directly Connected Impervious Area (DCIA), and a drainage index were used as the catchment spatial metrics. Three scenarios were designed as different spatial arrangement of catchment imperviousness. Runoff variables including total and peak runoff depth (Qt and Qp) were simulated by using Strom Water Management Model (SWMM). The relationship between catchment spatial patterns and runoff variables were determined, and the results demonstrated that, spatial patterns have inherent influences on flood risks in small urbanized catchments. Specifically: (1) imperviousness acts as an effective indicator in affecting both Qt and Qp; (2) reducing the number of rainwater inlets appropriately will benefit the catchment peak flow mitigation; (3) different spatial concentrations of impervious surfaces have inherent influences on Qp. These findings provide insights into the role of urban spatial patterns in driving rainfall-runoff processes in small urbanized catchments, which is essential for urban planning and flood management.
Highlights
IntroductionRapid urban sprawl brings significant landscape modifications, of which the most pervasive hallmark is considered to be the transformation from natural lands to imperviousness [1,2]
Rapid urban sprawl brings significant landscape modifications, of which the most pervasive hallmark is considered to be the transformation from natural lands to imperviousness [1,2].This alteration leads to negative hydrologic impacts that result in enhanced hydraulic efficiency and can increase stormwater runoff volumes, flow rates and peak flows and flow-time reductions in urban catchments [3,4]
These findings provide insights into the role of urban spatial patterns in driving rainfall-runoff processes in small urbanized catchments, which is essential for urban planning and flood management
Summary
Rapid urban sprawl brings significant landscape modifications, of which the most pervasive hallmark is considered to be the transformation from natural lands to imperviousness [1,2]. This alteration leads to negative hydrologic impacts that result in enhanced hydraulic efficiency and can increase stormwater runoff volumes, flow rates and peak flows and flow-time reductions in urban catchments [3,4]. Public Health 2017, 14, 239; doi:10.3390/ijerph14030239 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call