Why Should Surface Runoff Analysis Become a Permanent Part of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Medium-Sized Cities?

Barbara Warzecha; Joanna Dudek-Klimiuk

doi:10.3097/LO.2026.1152

Authors

Barbara Warzecha Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Doctoral School/Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7233-6564
Joanna Dudek-Klimiuk Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2131-6082

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3097/LO.2026.1152

Keywords:

water retention, runoff delay, imperviousness, urban planning, Katrineholm, Sweden

Abstract

Climate fluctuations can result in long periods of drought interspersed with short but rapid and intense rainfall events. This feasibility study includes verification of the planning documents for a medium-sized city of Katrineholm (including historical and problematic sites) and Land-use land-cover modeling (LULC). Aim was to identify the best Nature-based Solution (NBS) that could be incorporated into the local adaptation plan for reducing surface runoff and improving retention. In SCALGO, the data for modeling of surface runoff are based on topography, LULC and soil data. Smart surface water management on a catchment level was performed using ‘flash flood’ method with disabled sewerage system for Low-Impact Development (LID), Bio-density and Urban Greenery (UG).
Each of the models improves the situation. The most effective NBS was UG within catchments of historic city center and industrial urban typologies (benefits between +43% and +225%), surpassing LID (+81 to +129%), while Bio-density showed minor alterations (+9 to 21%). The change in LULC affected up to 34% of residential, up to 62% of industrial and up to 48% for downtown. Research findings can be interpreted in terms of the quantitative benefits of reduced surface runoff and in urban planning (reaching for climate resiliency) and protection of historical parts.

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