Investigating the role of green infrastructure for planning flood resilient cities: a case study of Peshawar, Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.ajset/4.1.7Keywords:
Urbanisation, Urban flooding, Green infrastructure, Economic assessment, Social survey, SWMM, Kobo toolbox, 3D visualisation, GIS, Climate changeAbstract
Rapid urbanisation and the worsening effects of climate change are the primary causes of urban flooding, which is becoming an increasingly serious global issue. Flood risks have increased in developing countries due to deteriorating infrastructure, intensifying precipitation, unchecked urban growth, and ineffective stormwater management. Major Pakistani cities, such as Peshawar, experience urban flooding, which damages infrastructure, disrupts the economy, and negatively affects livelihoods. Using Khamosh Colony as a representative example of one of the urban flooding hotspots, this study explores how Green Infrastructure (GI) can enhance urban flood resilience in Peshawar. The effectiveness of both standalone and combined GI interventions in addressing floods under rainfall events with a 5-year return period was simulated using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). While community preferences were gathered through surveys conducted using the Kobo Toolbox platform with over 400 respondents, economic feasibility was evaluated using MRS 2024. The most successful solutions were permeable pavement and a combination of permeable pavement and bioretention. This study provides stakeholders with a clear understanding of flood scenarios, both before and after GI implementation. This method encourages strategic investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and informs participatory planning.
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