Multi-criteria site selection and hydraulic modeling of green flood retention measures in a highly urbanized basin in Costa Rica

authored by

Carolina Lopes Monteiro, José Ricardo Bonilla Brenes, Alberto Serrano-Pacheco, Jochen Hack

Abstract

Green flood retention measures (GFRMs) are nature-based solutions applied to. mitigate floods by slowing and storing floodwater. This study employed a hydraulic, model developed in HEC-RAS to analyze the effects of GFRMs in the Quebrada Seca-Burío basin in Costa Rica. A multi-criteria methodology was developed to select. suitable sites for implementing the measures. A baseline representing the status quo, scenarios with individually assessed measures implemented at different sites, and a scenario with all measures combined were compared concerning their flood retention. potential. Twelve suitable sites capable of providing multiple socio-ecological benefits. were identified, of which three were implemented in the model to evaluate their. hydraulic performance. The results indicate that all scenarios are effective in reducing. peak flow, volume, and inundation areas, but to varying degrees. The combination of. all measures presented the most effective results, with peak flow reductions of 5.6 –15.3% and flood volume reductions of 3.6 – 9.9%.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Environmental Planning

External Organisation(s)

Technische Universität Darmstadt
Universidad de Costa Rica

Type

Article

Journal

Urban Forestry and Urban Greening

Volume

85

ISSN

1618-8667

Publication date

07.2023

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Forestry, Ecology, Soil Science

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 15 - Life on Land, SDG 14 - Life Below Water, SDG 13 - Climate Action

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.127957 (Access: Open)