RE: Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
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I have to admit (as usual) that some of this was complicated for me, but I kept thinking of two areas as I read: Las Vegas and Long Island.
Throughout Las Vegas there are 'washes', large pit-type areas meant to catch overflow from the desert during a deluge. These sometimes are death traps for the homeless who sleep there during dry spells and then are swept away during a sudden deluge--deluges happen all the time during 'monsoon' season in Las Vegas. Also, the system of washes is obviously imperfect because I can also recall water rushing down Las Vegas Boulevard and carrying away statues in front of Caesar's Palace.
Second place I think of is Long Island. Climate change has wreaked havoc on traditional flood patterns and new maps are released periodically that anticipate flood zones, as you indicate on your occurrence interval map. It's stunning to watch the maps predict potential events over different spans. The maps are dynamic so they are quite realistic.
Anyway, I enjoyed your map of Sweden. But then, I like maps :)
Hey there, thanks for reading!
The saddest part is that there are still homeless people in the world, this is what we should look to work on. On another note, it might not be just about the structural efficiency of the washes; deforestation plays a huge part as well.
Again, deforestation and lack of urban planning are key factors in this. Many countries have yet to develop advanced systems containing information regarding ownership, possession or other rights in land, which can be recorded to provide evidence of title and/or to prevent unlawful disposal.
Thank you for your response.
Yes, planning. Las Vegas exists in defiance of its environment (water-parched desert). And, the passion for living on a patch of sand--which is in evidence all along the East Coast of the U.S.--may be misguided also.
As for the homeless: so many in Las Vegas. I haven't been there for years. My husband and I speculated then that the great number might have been due to a combination of balmy climate and ready access to gambling. Although, obviously homeless is not unique to Las Vegas.
Regards,
AG