NBS are cost-effective solutions that contribute to biodiversity defense, species conservation, energy savings, social cohesion, among others.
The Metro Adapt project, co-funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Union, has carried out two feasibility studies that aim to compare the different Nature-Based Solutions applicable in an urban context which are able to guarantee a more effective and efficient water management. In particular, the aim is to present different non-conventional solutions (belonging to the families of “Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems – SUDS” or “Nature Based Solutions – NBS”), to compare them with each other and with conventional solutions, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, including aspects that are often not explicitly considered, such as the reduction of air and water pollution, biodiversity preservation, landscape improvement etc.
The feasibility studies highlight the technical constraints that have to be considered in the design process (e.g. different soil permeability conditions in the Northern and Southern parts of the Metropolitan Area) providing examples of how to design a system in site specific conditions, including the key technical details.
The first feasibility study has been developed for Parabiago (MI) and concerns a service road in an industrial area that needs to go through maintenance and restoration. The study is aimed at comparing different technical solutions to improve the stormwater management of the site, in the key of climate change adaptation in two scenarios: one that just reduces the stormwater runoff and another one that completely avoids runoff by storing stormwater in underground tanks.
The second feasibility study has been realized for Buccinasco (MI) and concerns the possible solution of an existing problem of water pollution, due to the wastewater discharged by a Combined Sewer Overflow in a nearby water course. As for the Parabiago case, several possible alternatives have been developed and analysed.
