Surface water management should form an integral part of urban planning, regardless of scale. As we know, climate change is already resulting in more frequent and intense rainfall. The impact of this on urban areas is greatly increased as infiltration rates are significantly less through hard surface areas compared to greenfield sites. This brings challenges in terms of drainage, traditionally addressed by hard engineering options (concrete gullies, pipes, drains etc) resulting in increasing flood and pollution risk.
Sustainable urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) is not new and was introduced to address flood risk several decades ago and are promoted in the OPW’s (2009) Guidelines for Planning Authorities – “The Planning System and Flood Risk Management”.
Implementation has been variable across the country and there is an emerging consensus that overground nature-based solutions should be the preferred option in inline Water Sensitive Urban Design.
2020 Webinar
A Nature Based approach has come more into prominence, especially in response to the water, climate and biodiversity crisis facing the planet. This approach is promoted internationally by organisations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and supported by the EU’s Green Deal.
In response to requests from local authority staff consulted by LAWPRO during Water Framework Directive meetings held across the country, a webinar was organised on November 9th 2020 to explore, discuss and learn about the potential of Nature Based Surface Water Management in Ireland.
Organised in association with the Irish Planning Institute, Engineers Ireland and the Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage and launched by Minister of State Malcom Noonan, the webinar approached the above referenced areas of nature-based solutions and how best to implement them, having canvassed planners and engineers in particular. The webinar also looked at key overlapping areas such as the Water Framework Directive, and wider Statutory agency objectives (e.g. OPW and Inland Fisheries Ireland). The webinar also included the launch by Inland Fisheries Ireland of their revised “Guidelines for Urban planning along watercourses” – making the case for sustainable development by making space for water and amenity use: https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/sites/default/files/migrated/docman/IFIUrbanWatercoursesPlanningGuide.pdf
The event culminated in a discussion moderated by Adrian Conway (former executive manager with Dublin City Council) with Water and Planning representatives from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW. A subsequent poll of attendees (almost 500) showed a significant percentage of attendees were planners and engineers, mostly from local authorities but also the private sector. Other attending disciplines including architects, landscape architects, environmental, climate action, heritage, biodiversity, community and enterprise.
Feedback from the attendees at the webinar confirmed that Nature Based SuDS would significantly benefit water, climate adaptation, biodiversity and human well-being objectives. However, 81% of respondents believed that Nature Based SuDS were not being adequately implemented in Ireland. Improvements in factors such as policies, legislation, leadership, governance, technical guidance, training, local government capacity and funding were considered necessary by the majority of respondents. The engagement of other state agencies, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Office of Public Works, National Parks and Wildlife Services, and the EPA as well as the private sector was further emphasised.
The need for a cross agency and multi-disciplinary integrated approach was also highlighted, incorporating all aspects of urban planning and design, from strategic and planning phases to the more detailed preparation or assessment of plans and projects.
Next steps
A key objective of the workshop was to explore the relevance Nature Based SuDS in the Irish context. This was roundly supported by the attendees. The next steps (as recommended from the post webinar online poll) will be to scope out the needs for developing a comprehensive national implementation strategy for SuDS. This may culminate in the development of guidance, training and case studies. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will work with local authorities and other relevant authorities to organise the development of guidance with LAWPRO and partners. Training can then be organised using best practice examples.
Complementary to this is the Climate Action training being organised by the CAROs which will include some focus on Nature Based SuDS. The Southern Regional Assembly are also coordinating a project with 5 Local Authorities working on best practice case studies for Green and Blue Infrastructure in the Urban environment.
The survey poll will form the basis of an outputs report, which will be available on the LAWPRO website together with the webinar presentations.
Interestingly, it is widely reported that the Covid-19 Pandemic has brought people closer to nature. This offers an opportunity for us all to promote Nature Based SuDS in a changing climate environment. Let’s not waste this opportunity.
We would like to thank all who contributed to the lead up to the event and post event analysis for their support.
Authors
- Fran Igoe, Southern Regional Coordinator, Local Authority Waters Programme.
- John Stack, Executive Engineer, Dublin City Council.
- Adrian Conway, former Executive Manager, Dublin City Council.
- Colin Byrne, Senior Advisor, Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage
Presentations
- Fran Igoe – Background and Setting
- Colin Ryan – Policy and Incorporation of Green & Blue Infrastructure
- Colin Byrne – Policy and Incorporation of Green & Blue Infrastructure
- John Stack – Techniques and the multiple benefits they deliver
- Hugh O Brien – A Planners Perspective
- Bryan Riney – Raising the ambition via Green and Blue Infrastructure
- Anne Murray – Giving space to our Wildlife Corridors in Planning
- Elaine Carroll – DLRCC Green Roof Policy
- Brian Beckett – Planning for Watercourses in the Urban Environment
