Strategies for adaptation of

urban drainage systems to

climate change

by

Ole Mark, DHI

Urban Stormwater Management
in Developing Countries

Jonathan Parkinson
Ole Mark

IWA Publishing

2005

www.iwapublishing.com

ISBN: 1-843390-57-4
Relationships between areas of development,
urban catchments and river basin
Conceptual framework and operational structure
for IWRM
Main components of integrated urban water
management
Stormwater drainage - an integral component of
urban environmental management
The priorities of a city ?

1.Drinking water

2.Sanitation / sewers

3.Wastewater treatment & reduction of

flooding

4.Reduction of pollution in recipients

5.Recreative values of water

Dubai
Excessive amounts of litter in a drainage channel in Dhaka

Source: Urban Stormwater Management in Developing Countries, 2005 Photo: Birgitte Helwigh
Blocked inlet to the stormwater drainage system in Dhaka
 While waiting for the next flood in your city…

Karachi, Pakistan – 19th August 2006

Power supply,telecommunication,moblie systems disrupted
Rain related death toll: 26
Rain: 50-60 mm…..
While waiting for the next flood
in your city…
Urban poor living on the banks of an urban river in
Jakarta, Indonesia
Causes and types of urban flooding
Today, the model is a copy of
the city….

Final grid with streets

and buildings

Raising by 5 m places
where there are buildings

Grid with streets

Lowering by 20 cm
places where there are
streets

Initial elevation grid

Modeling of flooding in cities
What is flooded ?
What does flooding cost ?
Direct Damages
Traffic Planning
 Flood damage reduction

1. Land use planning

2. Reduction of the flood extent

3. Reduction of the interaction with the flood

4. Control of the surface runoff and subsequently

flooded areas

5. Emergency plans and actions

6. Flood warning and information systems

While waiting for the next food in your city….
Do you believe in climate
changes ?
• Will a 10 year rain become a 2-3 year
rain ??
30 years => 5 years ?

• Can/will we ”build” fast enough ??

• What do we do - When we get

flooded ?
 This should be avoided…
Climate change

This was the control of a

pumping station 
Flooding computed for a new “climate” 10 year rain
The football field in Greve
Flooding computed for a new “climate” 10 year rain
The football field as flood strorage…
Beijing – 2004
 How should we handle
extreme rain fall and
climate changes in the
urban areas?

Informed
decissions!!!
Climate change
 So while you are waiting for the
climate changes and the next food
in your city – spend some time to
think about:

1. What will be fooded ?

2. What will it cost ?

Climate changes

3.How can damages be reduced ?

4.Can you learn something from

other places ?
 ManagmentSummary
of climate changes

Today • Analyses of urban

flooding

• Climate & Risk/Hazard

Climate changes

analyses

• Timely management
In the future
(climate, planning, cost-
benefit, etc)