Characteristic rain events

A methodology for improving the amenity value of stormwater control measures

authored by: Jonas Smit Andersen, Sara Maria Lerer, Antje Backhaus, Marina Bergen Jensen, Hjalte Jomo Danielsen Sørup
Abstract: Local management of rainwater using stormwater control measures (SCMs) is gaining increased attention as a sustainable alternative and supplement to traditional sewer systems. Besides offering added utility values, many SCMs also offer a great potential for added amenity values. One way of achieving amenity value is to stage the rainwater and thus bring it to the attention of the public. We present here a methodology for creating a selection of rain events that can help bridge between engineering and landscape architecture when dealing with staging of rainwater. The methodology uses quantitative and statistical methods to select Characteristic Rain Events (CREs) for a range of frequent return periods: weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, and a single rarer event occurring only every 1-10 years. The methodology for selecting CREs is flexible and can be adjusted to any climatic settings; here we show its use for Danish conditions. We illustrate with a case study how CREs can be used in combination with a simple hydrological model to visualize where, how deep and for how long water is visible in a landscape designed to manage rainwater.
External Organisation(s): University of Copenhagen
Orbicon
Technical University of Denmark
gruppe F Landschaftsarchitekten
Type: Article
Journal: Sustainability (Switzerland)
Volume: 9
ISSN: 2071-1050
Publication date: 03.10.2017
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Geography, Planning and Development, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Environmental Science (miscellaneous), Energy Engineering and Power Technology, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.3390/su9101793 (Access: Open)