Multi-criteria analysis of low impact development practices: a case study in the Tan Hoa - Lo Gom basin, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

Abstract

Abstract Urban flooding poses a significant challenge for cities globally. In recent years, Low Impact Development (LID) has been recognized as an effective and sustainable solution for managing urban floods. This study employs the EPA-Storm Water Management Model (EPA-SWMM), social surveys, and multi-criteria analysis (MCA) to assess the effectiveness of LID practices from environmental, social, and economic sustainability perspectives. Results demonstrated that implementing LID techniques such as rain gardens, infiltration trenches, permeable pavements, and their combinations in the Tan Hoa - Lo Gom basin can reduce the average total runoff volume by 8.77% to 30.80% under the current land use-land cover and the design hyetograph with a 3-hour duration and a 5-year return period. Moreover, there is a reduction of approximately 7.42% to 30.59% in the average total runoff volume for the design hyetograph with a 3-hour duration and a 5-year return period, aiming to assess the climate change impact. Additionally, sociological and economic aspects are integrated to comprehensively assess each LID practice through MCA via the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Overall, the analysis results indicated that the scenarios involving the application of rain gardens, infiltration trenches, and their combinations are more effective than other scenarios. These findings will provide valuable insights for decision-making and planning of other LID projects in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to mitigate urban flooding, particularly in light of the escalating challenges posed by urbanization and climate change.