Intraurban spatial configuration, hydrologic similarity areas and their roles in urban drainage dynamics

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hydrologic Similarity Areas (HSA) were delimited in the Belém catchment, and their responses on the water balance were evaluated. A cluster analysis of intraurban spatial configuration was conducted to delimit six HSA. The urban water balance was performed in the Aquacycle model, whose calibration resulted in satisfactory adherence to the measured streamflow. Indeed, the modeling results show that the intraurban spatial heterogeneity is reflected in the annual and daily water balance. The evapotranspiration rates can represent 25% to 50% precipitation in the different HSA. Moreover, infiltration and runoff can range five times among the HSA. In analyzing the daily events, we identified the areas that most contributed to runoff and those with higher infiltration capacity during flood events. Such results may support future studies on understanding flood dynamics and guide the implementation of sustainable urban drainage solutions that aim to reduce runoff and control flood risk.