Revitalizing small urban streams as an instrument of urban planning in creating resilient cities

Abstract

Small urban streams are an important element of blue-green infrastructure that is often underused, especially regarding stormwater management. In addition, small streams in dense urban areas often seem to be polluted and devastated, or even buried underground. This paper discusses the problems and challenges that occur in urban areas regarding small streams and creeks, and explores how their revitalization can help in shaping more resilient communities. The study explores two cities, Graz and Oslo, and their best practice examples in revitalizing urban watercourses. As a valuable natural “blue” capital, small streams can reduce the city’s risk of flooding from intense rainfall and strengthen the ecosystem. At the same time, small urban streams are cost-effective, proactive and attractive elements of urban landscape. Research identifies the benefits that the process of revitalization of small urban streams brought about to the selected case studies regarding the environment, public health, social interactions, land use and adaptation to climate change. Furthermore, the research establishes urban planning guidelines for revitalization of watercourses that could help in setting up policy framework for adapting inherited urban settings to climate change.