EVALUATING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR FLOOD MITIGATION IN COASTAL CITIES

Abstract

 The rising sea levels and heavy rain have forced coastal communities to seek alternatives to eliminate flood risks. Some of these alternatives have become more popular in the recent past as they are eco-friendly solutions referred to as Nature-Based Solutions (NBS).  This paper examines the effectiveness of various NBS interventions such as mangrove buffers, urban wetlands, green roofs, and bioswales. It does so by using the combination of spatial modeling, infield evaluations, and hydrology simulations.  The findings indicate that NBS measures reduced the mean flood water by as much as 45 percent, maximum runoff by 38 percent and increased storm water soakage in numerous cities.  The simulation-based 9 tables and 12 various visualizations revealed that the mangroves and the bioswales are effective in high-risk zones where there occurs water up to hydraulic performance as well as with regard to the cost benefit ratio.  In addition, scenario modeling demonstrated that approaches that combine NBS with the existing gray infrastructure and smart technologies are more resistant.  Through the study as well, it is revealed that NBS has both social and economic advantages where some of them include making the cities livable, raising biodiversity and reducing expenditures in public health costs.  According to the paper, NBS ought to be a priority in resilience plans and urban policy frameworks, despite the issues regarding the implementation thereof, such as a shortage of space within urban world as well as the risk of eco-gentrification.  On the whole, this work validates NBS as a useful, versatile, and multi-focal city growth strategy that may address climate change.