Urban hydrology has so far lacked a suitable model for a precise long-term determination of evapotranspiration (ET) addressing shading and vegetation-specific dynamics. The proposed model “SWMM-UrbanEVA” is fully integrated into US EPA’s Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) and consists of two submodules. Submodule 1, “Shading”, considers the reduction in potential ET due to shading effects. Local variabilities of shading impacts can be addressed for both pervious and impervious catchments. Submodule 2, “Evapotranspiration”, allows the spatio-temporal differentiated ET simulation of vegetation and maps dependencies on vegetation, soil, and moisture conditions which are necessary for realistically modeling vegetation’s water balance. The model is tested for parameter sensitivities, validity, and plausibility of model behaviour and shows good model performance for both submodules. Depending on location and vegetation, remarkable improvements in total volume errors Vol (from Vol = 0.59 to −0.04% for coniferous) and modeling long-term dynamics, measured by the Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) (from NSE = 0.47 to 0.87 for coniferous) can be observed. The most sensitive model inputs to total ET are the shading factor K_S and the crop factor K_C. Both must be derived very carefully to minimize volume errors. Another focus must be set on the soil parameters since they define the soil volume available for ET. Process-oriented differentiation between ET fluxes interception evaporation, transpiration, and soil evaporation, using the leaf area index, behaves realistically but shows a lack in volume errors. Further investigations on process dynamics, validation, and parametrization are recommended.

Blue–green infrastructures (BGI) play an important role in addressing contemporary challenges posed by urbanization, climate change, and demographic shifts. This study focuses on the parameterization of BGI within hydrological models, specifically emphasizing the Low Impact Development (LID) module of the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), supplemented by the SWMM-UrbanEVA evapotranspiration model. Employing a systematic approach, a transferable framework is developed to categorize BGI types, leading to a comprehensive parameterization toolset. This toolset includes parameter estimates for predefined BGI types, encompassing both natural and technical systems with a specific emphasis on plant-specific parameterization. The justification of these parameter estimates is supported by an extensive literature review. Sensitivity analyses reveal the influence of plant-specific parameters, such as the crop factor (K_C), and soil storage capacity, on water balance and peak runoff. Additionally, this study presents practical guidelines to enhance the comprehension of model behavior and ensure the highest possible quality in model parameterization. While further research on validity and transferability of the toolset is required, the findings of this study provide useful support for the differentiated representation and analysis of hydrological processes in urban environments. As a result, this study serves as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and decision makers, facilitating the implementation of sustainable water management practices in urban settings.

In Germany, the current sectoral urban planning often leads to inefficient use of resources, partly because municipalities lack integrated planning instruments and argumentation strength toward politics, investors, or citizens. The paper develops the ResourcePlan as (i) legal and (ii) a planning instrument to support the efficient use of resources in urban neighborhoods. The integrative, multi-methodological approach addresses the use of natural resources in the building and infrastructural sectors of (i) water (storm- and wastewater) management, (ii) construction and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure, (iii) urban energy system planning, and (iv) land-use planning. First, the development as legal instrument is carried out, providing (i) premises for integrating resource protection at all legal levels and (ii) options for implementing the ResourcePlan within German municipal structures. Second, the evaluation framework for resource efficiency of the urban neighborhoods is set up for usage as a planning instrument. The framework provides a two-stage process that runs through the phases of setting up and implementing the ResourcePlan. (Eco)system services are evaluated as well as life cycle assessment and economic aspects. As a legal instrument, the ResourcePlan integrates resource protection into municipal planning and decision-making processes. The multi-methodological evaluation framework helps to assess inter-disciplinary resource efficiency, supports the spatial identification of synergies and conflicting goals, and contributes to transparent, resource-optimized planning decisions.

Städte als bevorzugte Lebensräume stehen in Zeiten des Klimawandels, der Urbanisierung sowie des demographischen Wandels zunehmend vor der Herausforderung neuer Systembelastungen. Der Wasser- sowie Energiehaushalt ist durch die zunehmende Versiegelung von starken Veränderungen betroffen. In Siedlungsgebieten ist von einer Verringerung der Grundwasserneubildung und Verdunstung auszugehen, während Abflussvolumen und Abflussspitzen zunehmen und der Niederschlagsabfluss stark beschleunigt auftritt. Nachhaltige Anpassungsstrategien sollen diesen negativen Effekten entgegenwirken.