Tag: Adaptation

How Water Squares are Designed

How Water Squares are Designed

01/16/24

“How are water squares designed?”

Water squares are marvelous pieces of urbanism. Their dual-use purpose allows them to function as flood mitigation and public space. But how are they designed? Well, first a low-lying area is set up to act as a bed. During dry seasons this usually has recreational functions such as a swimming pool or a basketball court. This bed is surrounded by slanted walls that keep water in during heavy rain storms. Connected to these walls will be an inlet to a drainage system to clear the water when the time is ready. This is How Water Squares are Designed.

Image credit stormwater.wef.org

Water Squares

Water Squares

01/14/24

“How can we have squares that can both hold floodwater and act as a community space?”

When we think of flood control systems, we often imagine interventions that do not allow for anything beyond their own uses. But this can take away valuable space for events that may only happen for 2% of the time. But what if we were to create interventions that allowed for public use during dryer times? Well, the Dutch have come up with systems known as Water Squares. A water square, or Waterplein in Dutch, is a pool that hold water during flood times and act as public spaces during others. These designs hold the potential to radically transform how people live in the new climate paradigm.

Image credit stormwater.wef.org

Why Housing in Informal Settlements is Often More Prone to Collapse During Flooding

Why Housing in Informal Settlements is Often More Prone to Collapse During Flooding

01/11/24

“Why is housing in informal settlements more prone to collapse during flooding?”

Housing in informal settlements is built without respect to codes. Some of these codes include provisions for protection against flood events. This means that when floods occur the homes often collapse from the might of the water. This is Why Housing in Informal Settlements is Often More Prone to Collapse During Flooding.

Why Installing Better Air Filters in Buildings Helps People With Lung Conditions

Why Installing Better Air Filters in Buildings Helps People With Lung Conditions

01/06/24

“Why does installing better air filters in buildings help people with lung conditions?”

People with lung conditions can have adverse reactions to air-borne pollutants such as particulate matter. Installing better air filters in buildings can reduce the internal pollution of a space. This is Why Installing Better Air Filters in Buildings Helps People With Lung Conditions.

Why Absorbing Stormwater Runoff Can Prevent River Pollution

Why Absorbing Stormwater Runoff Can Prevent River Pollution

12/31/23

“Why can absorbing stormwater runoff prevent river pollution?”

Stormwater runoff can transport pollutants to nearby bodies of water, such as rivers, leading to said bodies of water becoming tainted. Implementing stormwater-absorbing solutions can prevent the movement of this waste, thereby keeping rivers clean. This is Why Absorbing Stormwater Runoff Can Prevent River Pollution

Capturing Water in Porous Concrete to Nourish Street Foliage

Capturing Water in Porous Concrete to Nourish Street Foliage

12/30/23

“Why should we think about capturing water in porous concrete to nourish street foliage?”

Street foliage is unable to utilize water that’s fallen on nearby impervious surfaces. But if these surfaces can become porous, then they can collect the water and feed the nearby trees. This can reduce stormwater runoff and provide extra water for plants at once. Urban planners and city officials should seriously think about Capturing Water in Porous Concrete to Nourish Street Foliage.

Compost Blanket Design Considerations

Compost Blanket Design Considerations

12/29/23

“What are the design considerations for compost blankets?”

Compost blankets can be very useful erosion control interventions. These will come with design considerations. These include determining if new slopes require organic materials to help with sustainable vegetation, deciding whether to use “medium” or “coarse” compost materials, looking into adding netting or hydro mulch on steep slopes, and applying treatment to sites. These are Compost Blanket Design Considerations that landscape architects and engineers have to think about in their designs.

The Benefits of Compost Blankets

The Benefits of Compost Blankets

12/27/23

“What are the benefits of compost blankets?”

Compost blankets can be used for landscaping and erosion control. But what are their actual benefits? Well, on top of the aforementioned qualities, they also can provide plant nutrients, temper stormwater runoff, enlarge water holding capacity and infiltration rate, conserve water, make soil biology better, and give plants a healthy growth medium. These are just some of The Benefits of Compost Blankets.

Maximizing the Performance of Compost Blankets

Maximizing the Performance of Compost Blankets

12/26/23

“How can we maximize the performance of compost blankets?”

Compost blankets can be a great asset to erosion management. However, there are multiple ways to help maximize its performance. We can work out a depth of around 50 millimeters per acre to the surface. We can also ensure that irrigation is installed to facilitate vegetation management, use stormwater runoff diversion devices to work out erosion, put on additional stabilizers and support practices, and meet high-performance standards. These are a few of the ways that we can work out Maximizing the Performance of Compost Blankets.