Multifunctional Riverside Buffer Parks – the Research on Nature-Urban Revitalisation of River Valleys

Anna Januchta Szostak

doi:10.5755/j01.sace.4.5.4709

Abstract

This article discusses a holistic approach to the revitalisation of river valleys in urbanized areas. Research on the process of riverside urban space revitalisation in Polish towns and cities was conducted by the author within the framework of the European project REURIS and aimed to indicate multifunctional solutions and models of complex nature-urban revitalisation of river valleys.From among 43 cities in northern Poland, which met the basic criteria, 25 projects were selected and subjected to the evaluation process using WIQUS methodology. The analysis and evaluation allowed to identify the best practices as well as the most important barriers and key factors of success of river valley regeneration projects in Polish towns.The significance of the research follows from opportunities of gaining measurable implementation benefits in the integrated spatial planning process of urbanised areas as well as in creating riverscapes both in anthropogenic and biocoenotic aspects. The author describes the scope of the research, its main results, and conclusions in order to present the advantages and benefits of nature-urban revitalisation pro-jects for the citizens as well as water and water-dependent ecosystems of river valleys.The implementation of multifunctional riverside buffer parks (RBPs) appears to be the most effective and sustainable way of devel-opment of river valleys in urban environment. The paper deals with the rules of spatial arrangement of particular zones of buffer parks considering social, ecological and hydrological requirements. The implementation of buffer parks in the riparian urban areas makes it possible to significantly reduce storm water runoff and flood risk, while the multifunctional development of the parks allows to achieve a synergy effect in appealing public spaces.Finally the author presents the application of the RBP idea in spatial arrangement of flood plains in the area of the Warta Valley in Poznan along the ‘Warta’ Campus of Poznan University of Technology.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.4.5.4709

Highlights

Degradation of river valleys in cities results from longlasting practice of perceiving rivers mainly as sources of flood threat and as dump sites for municipal sewage
Lack of integrated policy connecting spatial planning and water management and a coherent strategy for managing urban river spaces contributes to the situation (REURIS 2009-2012)
The scope of the research conducted by the author in northern Poland encompassed 43 towns and cities located on rivers

Summary

Introduction

Degradation of river valleys in cities results from longlasting practice of perceiving rivers mainly as sources of flood threat and as dump sites for municipal sewage. Issues associated with the lack of, excess or poor quality of water are the hallmarks of the 21st century. These challenges require a more sensitive approach to natural environment and water resources as well as better coordination of flood protection and spatial planning. According to experts (Majewski 2007, Kowalczak 2011), disasters resulting from extreme hydrological or meteorological events are on the rise. Such was the origin of colossal 90% of natural disasters between 1992 and 2001, compared to only 40% in the first half of the 20th century. Other factors contributing to increased river flood risk are water control works in river valleys (narrowing of rivers with dikes, straightening meanders), as reduced riverbed length results in higher water discharge and shorter flood time lag (Kowalczak 2007)

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