Global perspectives on the urban stream syndrome

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 412-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek B. Booth ◽  
Allison H. Roy ◽  
Benjamin Smith ◽  
Krista A. Capps
Keyword(s):  
Urban Stream ◽  
Urban Stream Syndrome ◽  
Global Perspectives

Urban hydrogeomorphology and the urban stream syndrome

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 480-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff J. Vietz ◽  
Christopher J. Walsh ◽  
Tim D. Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Flow Regime ◽  
Stormwater Runoff ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Urban Stream ◽  
Urban Stream Syndrome ◽  
Stream Morphology ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Urban Catchments ◽  
Urban Stormwater Runoff ◽  
The Impact

The urban stream syndrome is an almost universal physical and ecological response of streams to catchment urbanization. Altered channel geomorphology is a primary symptom that includes channel deepening, widening and instability. While the common approach is to treat the symptoms (e.g. modifying and stabilizing the channel), many stream restoration objectives will not be achieved unless the more vexing problem, treating the cause, is addressed in some way. Research demonstrates that the dominant cause of geomorphic change in streams in urban catchments is an altered flow regime and increase in the volume of stormwater runoff. Thus, managers can choose to treat the symptoms by modifying and controlling the channel to accommodate the altered flow regime, or treat the cause by modifying the flow regime to reduce the impact on channel morphology. In both cases treatments must, at the least, explicitly consider hydrogeomorphology—the science of the linkages between various hydrologic and geomorphic processes—to have a chance of success. This paper provides a review of recent literature (2010 to early 2015) to discuss fluvial hydrogeomorphology in the management of streams subject to urbanization. We suggest that while the dominant approach is focused on combating the symptoms of catchment urbanization (that we refer to as channel reconfiguration), there is increasing interest in approaches that attempt to address the causes by using stormwater control measures at a range of scales in the catchment (e.g. flow-regime management). In many settings in the oft-constrained urban catchment, effective management of stream morphology may require multiple approaches. To conclude, we identify five research areas that could inform urban hydrogeomorphology, one of the most challenging of which is the extent to which the volume of excess urban stormwater runoff can be reduced to mitigate the impact on stream geomorphology.

scholarly journals The Value and Services of Urban Stream Polygnotou, Thessaloniki

Proceedings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (11) ◽  
pp. 576
Author(s):  
Eleni A. Athanasiadou ◽  
Maria Tratsela ◽  
Eleni Gkrimpa
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Urban Streams ◽  
Urban Stream ◽  
Riparian Ecosystems ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Urban Stream Syndrome ◽  
Mental Map

Grey, blue and green infrastructure supports socio-ecological processes the city undergoes. Yet, procedures of constructing anthropogenic habitats often undermine the value of natural landscape elements such as urban streams. Thessaloniki’s backbone comprises of urban streams that run from the suburban forest of ‘Seih-Sou’ to the Thermaikos Gulf acting as corridors of the natural urban matrix. Policies of the past have dealt with urban streams through extensive engineering drainage methods, eliminating the risk of flooding, yet resulting in rapid stormwater runoff, water quality problems, disturbed riparian ecosystems, leading to the urban stream syndrome. Furthermore, they have failed to address urban streams as an inseparable part of the landscape and thus to incorporate them in people’s mental map and everyday activities. The paper discusses the case of ‘Polygnotou stream’ which forms the beginning of the large scale engineered peripheral moat of Thessaloniki, constructed in the 60’s, and playing the role of the water recipient for six urban streams in total. It falls unknown to the majority of people living in the area, yet its services as an ecosystem ought to be acknowledged, helping inform decision makers of its socio-ecologic, perceptual and economic value. In addition, Polygnotou stream, adjacent streams and the peripheral moat overall, could be considered as a touristic product of great importance.

scholarly journals Beyond the urban stream syndrome: organic matter budget for diagnostics and restoration of an impaired urban river

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 1623-1643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave M. Epstein ◽  
Julia E. Kelso ◽  
Michelle A. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Urban River ◽  
Urban Stream ◽  
Urban Stream Syndrome

scholarly journals Urban Stream and Wetland Restoration in the Global South—A DPSIR Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 4975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Wantzen ◽  
Carlos Alves ◽  
Sidia Badiane ◽  
Raita Bala ◽  
Martín Blettler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Global South ◽  
Urban Stream ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Urban Stream Syndrome ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
The Social

In many countries of the Global South, aquatic ecosystems such as streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands are severely impacted by several simultaneous environmental stressors, associated with accelerated urban development, and extreme climate. However, this problem receives little attention. Applying a DPSIR approach (Drivers, Pressures, State, Impacts, Responses), we analyzed the environmental impacts and their effects on urban hydrosystems (including stagnant waters), and suggest possible solutions from a series of case studies worldwide. We find that rivers in the Global South, with their distinctive geographical and socio-political setting, display significant differences from the Urban Stream Syndrome described so far in temperate zones. We introduce the term of ‘Southern Urban Hydrosystem Syndrome’ for the biophysical problems as well as the social interactions, including the perception of water bodies by the urbanites, the interactions of actors (e.g., top-down, bottom-up), and the motivations that drive urban hydrosystem restoration projects of the Global South. Supported by a synthesis of case studies (with a focus on Brazilian restoration projects), this paper summarizes the state of the art, highlights the currently existing lacunae for research, and delivers examples of practical solutions that may inform UNESCO’s North–South–South dialogue to solve these urgent problems. Two elements appear to be specifically important for the success of restoration projects in the Global South, namely the broad acceptance and commitment of local populations beyond merely ‘ecological’ justifications, e.g., healthy living environments and ecosystems with cultural linkages (‘River Culture’). To make it possible implementable/practical solutions must be extended to (often poor) people having settled along river banks and wetlands.

The urban stream syndrome: current knowledge and the search for a cure

2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 706-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Walsh ◽  
Allison H. Roy ◽  
Jack W. Feminella ◽  
Peter D. Cottingham ◽  
Peter M. Groffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Urban Stream ◽  
Urban Stream Syndrome
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