The document discusses nature-based solutions for urban water management. It proposes using ecosystem properties and green infrastructure to regulate hydrology and biota through dual regulation. This involves harmonizing ecohydrological measures with necessary infrastructure and integrating various regulations to stabilize and improve water quality. Nature-based solutions could help with urban regeneration, coastal resilience, and more sustainable resource use while enhancing ecosystem services. However, their actual benefits depend on proper planning and management across spatial scales from cities to suburban areas. Societal choices also influence the adoption of such solutions.

1. Securing well-being: nature
based solutions in urban water
management
Kinga Krauze, European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology,
Polish Academy of Sciences, UNESCO IHP Category II Center
k.krauze@erce.unesco.lodz.pl

2. UNESCO International Hydrological Programme - 1997
ECOHYDROLOGY: use of
ecosystem properties as a
management tool
(Zalewski, Janauer, Jolankai, 1997)
“DUAL REGULATION”
Regulation of biota
by altering hydrology
and regulation of hydrology
by shaping biota
HARMONIZATION
of ecohydrological measures
with necessary hydrotechnical
infrastructure
INTEGRATION
of various regulations to stabilize and
improve the quality of water resources
REGULATIONREGULATION
BIOTABIOTA
HYDROLOGYHYDROLOGY
“DUAL REGULATION”
Regulation of biota
by altering hydrology
and regulation of hydrology
by shaping biota
HARMONIZATION
of ecohydrological measures
with necessary hydrotechnical
infrastructure
INTEGRATION
of various regulations to stabilize and
improve the quality of water resources
REGULATIONREGULATION
BIOTABIOTA
HYDROLOGYHYDROLOGY
REGULATIONREGULATION
BIOTABIOTA
HYDROLOGYHYDROLOGY
Zalewski 2000

3.  Actions inspired by, supported by or copied from nature.
 Functions carried by blue-green infrastructure.
GREENING THE GREY – APPLYING NBS
THE SOURCE
THE TRANSFER
THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
Water
Space
Time
Societal choice

4. Water in the city
too much, too little, low quality
I. Wagner
Direct impact on healthImpact through the quality of environment
 NBS GREAT HOPES: urban regeneration, improvement of well-being in urban areas, coastal resilience,
multi-functional watershed management, ecosystem restoration, increasing the sustainability of matter and
energy use, enhancing the insurance value of ecosystems, increasing carbon sequestration - CC (EC, 2015;
Nesshöver et al. 2016).

5.  Water use by plants depends on temperature and
humidity, wind, and light – so in the group of trees water
demand is lower by 20% of dily water demand (Lindley,
Bassuk, 1991).
 Average 10 meter high tree needs at least 133l of water
daily (Kramer, 1987).
 A tree trapped in concrete pot 1.2m x 1.2m and 0.9m
deep, with low water storage capacity typical for urban
soils may consume the whole available water within 2-3 hrs
(Vrecenak, Herrington, 1984).
 While root systems develops usually within the top 1m
of soil. (Kosmala, 2005)

6. Kupryś-Lipińska 2014
Indirect impacts of disturbed water cycle on health

7. The level of
satisfaction with life
according to people
60+: physically
active (blue) and
inactive (red)

8. The relationship between the ecological richness score (a composite score based on a
combination of plant diversity, bird diversity, bee/butterfly diversity, and habitat number) and
the mean restorative benefit of each park (Wood et al. 2019).
Brymer, E., Freeman, E. L., Richardson,
M., eds. (2019). One Health: The Well-
being Impacts of Human-nature
Relationships. Lausanne: Frontiers
Media.
doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-226-8

9. Maas et al. 2016
NBS
expectations
actual delivery potential

10. O ILE INACZEJ?

11. Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)
is the interdisciplinary cooperation of water management,
urban design, landscape planning, and architecture
 strives to harmonize the urban built environment and the
urban water cycle
 combines the functionality of water management with
principles of urban design
 relies on integrative strategies
Water Sensitive Urban Design General Goals
(according to: The Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines 1999)
 Protect natural systems
 Integrate stormwater treatment into the landscape
 Protect water quality
 Reduce runoff and peak flows
 Add value while minimizing development costs
Hoyer et al. 2011
WATER SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN

12. Source: unknown

13. Dense urban zone

14. Dense urban zone

15. Bioretention and water purification by bioswales
(Projekt Inglewood)

16. Residential area / housing estates

17. MODEL OF SED-BIO SYSTEM
Outflow
1 2 3
Patent application no P.422056 Bednarek, 2018
Residential area / housing estates

18. Reduction of pollution
70%
99%
91%
Nitrates
Nitrites
Amonnium
Phosphates
73% Bacteria coli-type
E. coli
46%
43%
O2 150%
Nutrients
Physical parameters
Biotic parameters
algae
cyanobacteria
diatoms
cryptophytes
Humic acids
30%
Phytoplankton
Bednarek, 2018

19. Large scale planning: Waterplan 2, Rotterdam, NL

20. Scinawka River | Oxelösund
Hydrophytic water treatment plant
Suburban areas

21. Biochemical barriers in ecotone zones
Suburban areas
Denitrification wall
Izydorczyk, Bednarek, 2016

22. Harmonized spatial
planning of urban –
suburban mosaic
allows sustainability of
ecosystem service
transfer among donor
and recipient areas
while keeping the costs
at a level acceptable to
society
(NC-natural capital, I –
intervention
/investment, RES –
relative demand for
ecosystem services,T–
service transfer).
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS NBS ROLE

23. - urban

24. 1. Shrinking cities continue to expand;
2. Land acquisition is mostly driven by economic uses:
indurstry, commercial, infrastructure - 45.4% (residential
28.5%, greening 3.4%);
3. Scarce reuse of urban voids, and a contemporary decline
in green space availability;
4. New brownfields almost equal the areas without use
converted during the same years, & overcome them both
in Northern and Southern cities;
5. Cities become more compact due to densification of build
up areas.
Cortinovis et al. 2018

25. Idea for reparian zone and river corridor – what do we want and approve?
https://dziennikpolski24.pl/
darekm135 / Wikimedia Commons

26. Sth about societal attitudes
Insurance value of ES??

27. Collaboration network
INFORMATION – collaboration network

28. The Global Action Framework – three ways of triggering the change
in the system
Pruitt, B. and S. Waddell. 2005, modified
INCREMENTAL REFORM TRANSFORMATION
PURPOSE Improved performance
of existing system
Changing the system to
address shortcomings &
address needs
Redirecting the system –
change of core relationships
and trends
PARTICIPATION Replicates established
decision making group &
processes
Brings in & empowers
new stakeholder groups
Creates a microcosm for
problem resolution, with
stakeholders being problem
owners & decision makers
PROCESS Confirming existing rules
& power system
Open rules to revision,
promoting new
interactions
Opens issue to new ways of
thinking & action

29. THANK YOU