Abstract

Conventional piped drainage systems are currently being challenged by climate change and urbanization, leading to pluvial flooding, with negative consequences for people's properties and lives. Sustainable stormwater management has been suggested as an alternative, but implementation of its infrastructures is often limited to demonstration zones. Governance factors are among the main reasons for the slow pace. A literature review analyzing 44 peer-reviewed papers was conducted to examine the challenges from a governance perspective. The challenges identified were summarized based on actors, resources, rules of the game, and discourses. Challenges such as unclear leadership and responsibilities, lack of funding, lack of cost data on sustainable stormwater management solutions, lack of space and knowledge, lack of uniform guidelines, and lack of stakeholder participation were found to be the most prominent reasons. Suggested solutions to overcoming these challenges include e.g., researchers acting as knowledge brokers, the involvement of social capital among local stakeholders, re-using vacant land, establishing uniform guidelines, and increasing market incentives to engage stakeholders. The governance structures of stormwater management were categorized as hierarchical, closed and open co-governance arrangements, while open co-governance arrangement was suggested as a useful governance structure. The difference is that the latter structure engages stakeholders, which is of benefits to increased sustainable stormwater management implementation. More research on social-economical aspects is suggested. These findings can improve understanding among decision makers and other relevant actors of challenges related to implementing sustainable stormwater management as a primary solution to the current climate and urbanization challenges. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Local authority; Stakeholder participation; Resources; Legislation; Governance arrangements

Published in

Journal of Cleaner Production
2018, Volume: 196, pages: 943-952
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU Authors

• Qiao, Xiujuan

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Kristoffersson, Anders

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Randrup, Thomas

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts


UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Management


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.049

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/96629