Retrofitting green infrastructure for urban stormwater management: a proposal and recommendations for the Xiamen urban context

Abstract

Preliminary reconnaissance undertaken in summer 2013 identified the scale of stormwater management issues in Xiamen, having frequent storm events that overwhelm the stormwater and sewer infrastructure resulting in widespread flooding. This research explored the role that green facilities play in addressing stormwater issues through the inquiry of Low Impact Development strategies and techniques. From a long-term perspective, green infrastructure planning and implementation is inevitably linked with strong education programs, rational stormwater codes and regulations, a variety of financing and incentives, as well as an integrated and competent administration system. This research presents a design proposal for green infrastructure retrofit for a selected study block in the central area of Xiamen to help guide water sensitive urban design and development in the future. Seven recommendations based on the synthesis of the literature review, key-informant interviews, built-project studies and the retrofit design proposal are proposed. This document will be submitted to Xiamen Urban Planning & Design Institute for considerations to be integrated in city master planning policy and zoning codes and standards as needed and to inform a demonstration project to help advance long-term strategies and recommendations.