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Professor for Ecological Engineering at the Institute for Applied Geosciences and Leader of the inter- and transdisciplinary Research Group SEE-URBAN-WATER at Technical University Darmstadt. Jochen Hack is an expert in environmental modelling of Nature-based Solutions, the study of green infrastructure and ecosystem services. Jochen Hack holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering and a Diploma in Civil Engineering from Technical University Darmstadt, Germany.
Sealed surfaces in urban areas change the water and energy balance resulting in decreased evapotranspiration and infiltration, magnified stormwater runoff, and sensible heat fluxes. Urban Green Infrastructures (UGI) are implemented to reverse such effects. This study examines the potential of a high-resolution grid-based model to show the impact of different degrees of urban land cover. The study area was divided into 52 cells and cells were categorized into four urban degrees of urbanization. Two scenarios were considered to represent the existing conditions of a study area in the Great Metropolitan Area of Costa Rica and the effects derived from the implementation of UGI. The software Surface Urban Energy and Water Balance Scheme (SUEWS) was employed to simulate both scenarios and compare them by using the Bowen ratio (β) as an indicator of changes in the energy balance. The results show a reduction of β associated with the spatial distribution of the cells with different degrees of urbanization, even in the cells where no changes were considered. Applying the SUEWS approach based on high-resolved land cover classes distribution enables a more detailed understanding of micro-climatic benefits of UGI in high-density urban areas and may result in additional insights for decision-making.
Rebecca Wiegels; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. High resolution modeling of the impact of urbanization and green infrastructure on the water and energy balance. Urban Climate 2021, 39, 100961 .
AMA StyleRebecca Wiegels, Fernando Chapa, Jochen Hack. High resolution modeling of the impact of urbanization and green infrastructure on the water and energy balance. Urban Climate. 2021; 39 ():100961.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRebecca Wiegels; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. 2021. "High resolution modeling of the impact of urbanization and green infrastructure on the water and energy balance." Urban Climate 39, no. : 100961.
Nature-based solutions (NBS), understood as actions that use ecosystem processes to address societal needs, can play important roles to future-proof river landscape development for people and nature. However, knowledge gaps exist how NBS can be planned and implemented at landscape scales. This Special Issue brings together insights and experiences from studies of assessing, planning, and implementing NBS in river landscapes in Europe and beyond. It addresses three research fields: (i) NBS effects, looking at the effectiveness of NBS to achieve ecological, social, and/or economic outcomes, (ii) NBS planning, focusing on approaches for planning and designing NBS, and (iii) NBS governance, relating to governance and business models for implementation. The twelve contributions deliver evidence on how NBS outperform conventional, rather technical solutions, provide guidance and tools to operationalize the NBS concept into practice, and showcase successful governance models of NBS in different contexts. The editorial ends with an outlook on further research needs.
Christian Albert; Jochen Hack; Stefan Schmidt; Barbara Schröter. Planning and governing nature-based solutions in river landscapes: Concepts, cases, and insights. Ambio 2021, 50, 1405 -1413.
AMA StyleChristian Albert, Jochen Hack, Stefan Schmidt, Barbara Schröter. Planning and governing nature-based solutions in river landscapes: Concepts, cases, and insights. Ambio. 2021; 50 (8):1405-1413.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChristian Albert; Jochen Hack; Stefan Schmidt; Barbara Schröter. 2021. "Planning and governing nature-based solutions in river landscapes: Concepts, cases, and insights." Ambio 50, no. 8: 1405-1413.
In the original publication, the affiliation of all the authors were mixed up and processed incorrectly. It has been updated in this correction.
Valerie Chen; Jose Ricardo Bonilla Brenes; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. Correction to: Development and modelling of realistic retrofitted Nature-based Solution scenarios to reduce flood occurrence at the catchment scale. Ambio 2021, 1 -1.
AMA StyleValerie Chen, Jose Ricardo Bonilla Brenes, Fernando Chapa, Jochen Hack. Correction to: Development and modelling of realistic retrofitted Nature-based Solution scenarios to reduce flood occurrence at the catchment scale. Ambio. 2021; ():1-1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleValerie Chen; Jose Ricardo Bonilla Brenes; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. 2021. "Correction to: Development and modelling of realistic retrofitted Nature-based Solution scenarios to reduce flood occurrence at the catchment scale." Ambio , no. : 1-1.
The quality of water in many urban rivers in Latin America is increasingly degrading due to wastewater and runoff discharges from urban sprawl. Due to deficits in sanitary drainage systems, greywater is discharged to the stormwater drainage network generating a continuous dry-weather runoff that reaches rivers without treatment. One of the main challenges in the region is to achieve sustainable management of urban runoff for the recovery of rivers ecosystem integrity. However, retrofitting conventional centralized wastewater drainage networks into the existing urban grid represents important social, economic and technical challenges. This paper presents an alternative adaptive methodology for the design of Nature-based Solutions for decentralized urban runoff treatment. Through this study, technical solutions commonly used for stormwater management were adapted for dry-weather runoff treatment and co-designed for the particular conditions of a representative study area, considering space availability as the main constraining factor for retrofitting in urban areas. The application of a co-design process in a dense neighbourhood of the Great Metropolitan area of Costa Rica brought to light valuable insights about conditions that could be hindering the implementation of NBS infrastructures in Latin America.
Maria Pérez Rubi; Jochen Hack. Co-design of experimental nature-based solutions for decentralized dry-weather runoff treatment retrofitted in a densely urbanized area in Central America. Ambio 2021, 50, 1498 -1513.
AMA StyleMaria Pérez Rubi, Jochen Hack. Co-design of experimental nature-based solutions for decentralized dry-weather runoff treatment retrofitted in a densely urbanized area in Central America. Ambio. 2021; 50 (8):1498-1513.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Pérez Rubi; Jochen Hack. 2021. "Co-design of experimental nature-based solutions for decentralized dry-weather runoff treatment retrofitted in a densely urbanized area in Central America." Ambio 50, no. 8: 1498-1513.
Decentralized Nature-based Solutions such as Urban Green Infrastructures (UGI) are increasingly promoted to reduce flooding in urban areas. Many studies have shown the effectiveness of flood control of UGI at a plot or neighbourhood level. Modelling approaches that extrapolate their flood reducing impact to larger catchment scales are often based on a simplistic assumption of different percentages of UGI implementation. Additionally, such approaches typically do not consider the suitable space for UGI and potential implementation constraints. This study proposes a scenario development and modelling approach for a more realistic upscaling of UGI based on empirical insights from a representative neighbourhood. The results from this study, conducted in the metropolitan area of Costa Rica, show that upscaling the full potential for UGI could significantly reduce surface runoff, peak flows, and flood volumes. In particular, the permeable pavement has the highest potential for flood reducing in public space while cisterns perform best at the property level. These results can guide the formation of policies that promote UGI.
Valerie Chen; Jose Ricardo Bonilla Brenes; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. Development and modelling of realistic retrofitted Nature-based Solution scenarios to reduce flood occurrence at the catchment scale. Ambio 2021, 50, 1462 -1476.
AMA StyleValerie Chen, Jose Ricardo Bonilla Brenes, Fernando Chapa, Jochen Hack. Development and modelling of realistic retrofitted Nature-based Solution scenarios to reduce flood occurrence at the catchment scale. Ambio. 2021; 50 (8):1462-1476.
Chicago/Turabian StyleValerie Chen; Jose Ricardo Bonilla Brenes; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. 2021. "Development and modelling of realistic retrofitted Nature-based Solution scenarios to reduce flood occurrence at the catchment scale." Ambio 50, no. 8: 1462-1476.
Urban green infrastructure (UGI) provides multiple functions that combine ecological and social benefits. UGI is being increasingly promoted and implemented in the Global North. In other parts of the world, such as in the Global South, infrastructures for UGI implementation and promotion are sparse. The state of infrastructure development and informal settlements in the Global South present different constraints and demands that should be explicitly addressed. This study presents an approach to addressing the specific conditions and physical limitations of UGI development in urban areas of the Global South. A four-step methodology was developed to assess the implementation potential for retrofitted and multifunctional urban green infrastructure in public areas. This methodology consists of (1) an initial site analysis, (2) defining design criteria and general strategies, (3) exploring the different dimensions of multifunctionality as the basis for deriving spatial typologies, and (4) assessing spatial suitability for potential placements for UGI elements. The methodology was applied to a study area in the metropolitan region of San José, Costa Rica. The results indicate the potential to improve the hydrological (up to 34% of surface runoff reduction), ecological (an increase of green space by 2.2%, creation of 1500 m length of roadside greenery and two new habitat types), and social conditions (2200 m of road type upgrading) of the site through UGIs. This assessment of different multifunctionality dimensions can serve as a guide for future UGI promotion and implementation in urban areas of the Global South.
Tanja Fluhrer; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. A Methodology for Assessing the Implementation Potential for Retrofitted and Multifunctional Urban Green Infrastructure in Public Areas of the Global South. Sustainability 2021, 13, 384 .
AMA StyleTanja Fluhrer, Fernando Chapa, Jochen Hack. A Methodology for Assessing the Implementation Potential for Retrofitted and Multifunctional Urban Green Infrastructure in Public Areas of the Global South. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (1):384.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTanja Fluhrer; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. 2021. "A Methodology for Assessing the Implementation Potential for Retrofitted and Multifunctional Urban Green Infrastructure in Public Areas of the Global South." Sustainability 13, no. 1: 384.
Green Infrastructure promotes the use of natural functions and processes as potential solutions to reduce negative effects derived from anthropocentric interventions such as urbanization. In cities of Latin America, for example, the need for more nature-based infrastructure is evident due to its degree of urbanization and degradation of ecosystems, as well as the alteration of the local water cycle. In this study, an experimental approach for the implementation of a prototype is presented. The prototype consists of a gray-hybrid element for first flush bio-treatment and runoff detention, adapted to the existing stormwater sewer. The experiment took place in a highly urbanized watershed located in the Metropolitan Area of Costa Rica. The characteristics of the existing infrastructure in the study area at different scales were mapped and compared using the Urban Water System Transition Framework. Subsequently, preferences related to spatial locations and technologies were identified from different local decision-makers. Those insights were adopted to identify a potential area for the implementation of the prototype. The experiment consisted of the adaptation of the local sewer to act as a temporal reservoir to reduce the effects derived from rapid generation of stormwater runoff. Unexpected events, not considered initially in the design, are reported in this study as a means to identify the necessary adaptations of the methodology. Our study shows from an experimental learning-experience that the relation between different actors advocating for such technologies influences the implementation and operation of non-conventional technologies. Furthermore, the willingness of residents to modify their urban environments was found to be associated to their own perceptions about security and vandalism occurring in green spaces. The implementation of the prototype showed that both the hydraulic performance is relevant for considering it as a success, as well as the dynamics of the adapted element with the existing urban conditions. In consequence, those aspects should be carefully considered as the design factors of engineering elements when they are related to complex socio-ecological urban systems.
Fernando Chapa; María Pérez; Jochen Hack. Experimenting Transition to Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems—Identifying Constraints and Unintended Processes in a Tropical Highly Urbanized Watershed. Water 2020, 12, 3554 .
AMA StyleFernando Chapa, María Pérez, Jochen Hack. Experimenting Transition to Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems—Identifying Constraints and Unintended Processes in a Tropical Highly Urbanized Watershed. Water. 2020; 12 (12):3554.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFernando Chapa; María Pérez; Jochen Hack. 2020. "Experimenting Transition to Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems—Identifying Constraints and Unintended Processes in a Tropical Highly Urbanized Watershed." Water 12, no. 12: 3554.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI), a sustainable engineering design approach for managing urban stormwater runoff, has long been recommended as an alternative to conventional conveyance-based stormwater management strategies to mitigate the adverse impact of sprawling urbanization. Hydrological and hydraulic simulations of small-scale GSI measures in densely urbanized micro watersheds require high-resolution spatial databases of urban land use, stormwater structures, and topography. This study presents a highly resolved Storm Water Management Model developed under considerable spatial data constraints. It evaluates the cumulative effect of the implementation of dispersed, retrofitted, small-scale GSI measures in a heavily urbanized micro watershed of Costa Rica. Our methodology includes a high-resolution digital elevation model based on Google Earth information, the accuracy of which was sufficient to determine flow patterns and slopes, as well as to approximate the underground stormwater structures. The model produced satisfactory results in event-based calibration and validation, which ensured the reliability of the data collection procedure. Simulating the implementation of GSI shows that dispersed, retrofitted, small-scale measures could significantly reduce impermeable surface runoff (peak runoff reduction up to 40%) during frequent, less intense storm events and delay peak surface runoff by 5–10 min. The presented approach can benefit stormwater practitioners and modelers conducting small scale hydrological simulation under spatial data constraint.
Sami Towsif Khan; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. Highly Resolved Rainfall-Runoff Simulation of Retrofitted Green Stormwater Infrastructure at the Micro-Watershed Scale. Land 2020, 9, 339 .
AMA StyleSami Towsif Khan, Fernando Chapa, Jochen Hack. Highly Resolved Rainfall-Runoff Simulation of Retrofitted Green Stormwater Infrastructure at the Micro-Watershed Scale. Land. 2020; 9 (9):339.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSami Towsif Khan; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. 2020. "Highly Resolved Rainfall-Runoff Simulation of Retrofitted Green Stormwater Infrastructure at the Micro-Watershed Scale." Land 9, no. 9: 339.
Green Infrastructures (GI) are considered key to reconcile ecological and social benefits by providing multiple functions. The concept is increasingly promoted and guidelines for its implementation have been developed in many countries and regions of the Western Hemisphere. However, for other parts of the world, especially for countries with less developed infrastructures, promotion, guidance for decision-making and manuals for GI are often lacking. But the state of infrastructure development and often unplanned character of settlements in the Global South differ and result in specific constraints as well as demands to GI that need to be addressed explicitly. This study presents a methodological approach to explicitly address the specific conditions and physical limitations to GI development in urban areas of the Global South. A four step methodology was developed to assess the implementation potential for retrofitted and multifunctional urban green infrastructure in public areas. An initial site analysis (1) and the definition of design criteria as well as general strategies (2) to achieve the different dimensions of multi-functionality are the basis to derive spatial typologies (3) for GI elements and finally the spatial suitability assessment for potential placements (4). An application of the methodology to a study area in the metropolitan region of San José, Costa Rica, shows exemplarily that the potential to improve the hydrological conditions (up to 34% of surface runoff reduction), ecological conditions (increase of green space by 2,2 %, creation of 1500 m length of roadside greenery and two new habitat types), and social conditions (2.200 m of road type upgrading) of multi-functionality of the site through Green Infrastructures. These assessment results of different multi-functionality dimension can serve as a guidance for GI promotion and implementation in urban areas of the Global South.
Tanja Fluhrer; Jochen Hack. A Methodology for Assessing the Implementation Potential for Retrofitted and Multifunctional Urban Green Infrastructure in Public Areas. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleTanja Fluhrer, Jochen Hack. A Methodology for Assessing the Implementation Potential for Retrofitted and Multifunctional Urban Green Infrastructure in Public Areas. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTanja Fluhrer; Jochen Hack. 2020. "A Methodology for Assessing the Implementation Potential for Retrofitted and Multifunctional Urban Green Infrastructure in Public Areas." , no. : 1.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI), a sustainable engineering design approach for managing urban stormwater runoff, has long been recommended as an alternative to conventional conveyance-based stormwater management strategies to mitigate the adverse impact of sprawling urbanization. Hydrological and hydraulic simulations of small-scale GSI measures in densely urbanized micro watersheds require high-resolution spatial databases of urban land use, stormwater structures, and topography. This study presents a highly resolved Storm Water Management Model developed under considerable spatial data constraints. It evaluates the cumulative effect of the implementation of dispersed, retrofitted, small-scale GSI measures in a heavily urbanized micro watershed of Costa Rica. Our methodology includes a high-resolution digital elevation model based on Google Earth information, whose accuracy was sufficient to determine flow patterns and slopes, as well as to approximate the subsurface stormwater structures. The model produced satisfactory results in event-based calibration and validation, which ensured the reliability of the data collection procedure. Simulating the implementation of GSI shows that dispersed, retrofitted, small-scale measures could significantly reduce impermeable surface runoff (peak runoff reduction up to 40%) during frequent, less intense storm events and delay peak surface runoff 5-10 minutes. The presented approach can benefit stormwater practitioners and modelers conducting small scale hydrological simulation under spatial data constraint.
Sami Towsif Khan; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. Highly Resolved Rainfall-Runoff Simulation of Retrofitted Green Stormwater Infrastructure at the Micro-Watershed Scale. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleSami Towsif Khan, Fernando Chapa, Jochen Hack. Highly Resolved Rainfall-Runoff Simulation of Retrofitted Green Stormwater Infrastructure at the Micro-Watershed Scale. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSami Towsif Khan; Fernando Chapa; Jochen Hack. 2020. "Highly Resolved Rainfall-Runoff Simulation of Retrofitted Green Stormwater Infrastructure at the Micro-Watershed Scale." , no. : 1.
Nicaragua enacted its Water Law in 2007, with the Dublin Principles for sustainable water management and integrated water resources management as its guiding framework. Implementation of the law remains a challenge, but significant efforts have been made to roll out this new water resources framework, to improve water management by enhancing a multilevel water governance system. To analyze multilevel water governance in Nicaragua and diagnose stakeholders’ roles and compliance with the law, we applied a socio-ecological system framework and several methods of analysis to process data collected from 52 in-depth semistructured interviews conducted with key stakeholders in the water sector. We found that the major variables affecting multilevel water governance were social interests, administrative capacity, and political, economic, and legal arrangements. The results suggest that there is centralization at the national level, a tendency toward noncollective choice rules, little investment in water resources, and a lack of knowledge concerning conflict resolution mechanisms. For multilevel water governance, a lack of funds is the main social, economic, and political constraint, affecting interactions and outcomes. Nevertheless, there is great potential to improve water resource management in Nicaragua by enacting the self-funding schemes established in the law. Moreover, government institutions, users, and various networks are willing to participate and take action to implement the law.
Luis Montenegro; Jochen Hack. A Socio-Ecological System Analysis of Multilevel Water Governance in Nicaragua. Water 2020, 12, 1676 .
AMA StyleLuis Montenegro, Jochen Hack. A Socio-Ecological System Analysis of Multilevel Water Governance in Nicaragua. Water. 2020; 12 (6):1676.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuis Montenegro; Jochen Hack. 2020. "A Socio-Ecological System Analysis of Multilevel Water Governance in Nicaragua." Water 12, no. 6: 1676.
The increasing demand for water in urban areas of developing countries has been given more importance to rainwater harvesting techniques in the last decades. However, there is still a lack of general approaches to show and compare the potential to benefit effectively from direct roof runoff at different locations. Past studies mainly focused on specific design conditions, making it difficult to interpret and upscale their results in zones with similar conditions. This research explores the influence of rainfall characteristics and design parameters: storage tank size, catchment area, and daily water demand on rainwater harvesting systems designed for water supply. Sixteen locations in Ecuador with varying hydroclimatic characteristics were selected to evaluate our methodology. A mass balance method using satellite records of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission was employed to estimate optimal dimensions based on the reliability of the system. Our results suggest that locations with similar annual rainfall and seasonality have similar performances of rainwater harvesting systems. Based on that premise, regional approaches can be formulated. They can be employed as a tool to support decision-makers promoting policies related to rainwater harvesting at local and regional scales.
Fernando Chapa; Manuel Krauss; Jochen Hack. A multi-parameter method to quantify the potential of roof rainwater harvesting at regional levels in areas with limited rainfall data. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2020, 161, 104959 .
AMA StyleFernando Chapa, Manuel Krauss, Jochen Hack. A multi-parameter method to quantify the potential of roof rainwater harvesting at regional levels in areas with limited rainfall data. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2020; 161 ():104959.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFernando Chapa; Manuel Krauss; Jochen Hack. 2020. "A multi-parameter method to quantify the potential of roof rainwater harvesting at regional levels in areas with limited rainfall data." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 161, no. : 104959.
While for most of a landscape, urbanization leads to a significant habitat loss, rivers in urban areas are usually maintained or developed for their drainage function. Rivers are often the most important biophysical and ecological connection of cities with their surrounding ecosystems, although usually heavily altered due to urban impacts. For the conservation of urban rivers as ecological corridors, it is important to assess the impact of typical urban threats on habitat quality. In this study, we used the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Trade-offs) habitat quality model to assess the individual and combined impacts of built-up areas, first- and second-order road and water pollution from urban drainage, and wastewater discharge on habitat quality within a 200 m wide river corridor. The Pochote River in León, Nicaragua, was used as a case study. Our results show the spatial distribution and magnitude of the individual threat impacts, as well as the respective contribution of each threat to the overall impact of urbanization on the habitat quality within the river corridor. While close to the city center, all threats almost equally contributed to severe habitat degradation, while further downstream, an individual threat influence became more distinct with only water pollution having a consistent negative impact. We concluded that the InVEST habitat quality model can be used to assess the impact of typical urban threats on habitat quality in river corridors at a high spatial resolution. The results can help to improve urban planning and development to improve habitat conservation along urban rivers.
Jochen Hack; Diana Molewijk; Manuel R. Beißler. A Conceptual Approach to Modeling the Geospatial Impact of Typical Urban Threats on the Habitat Quality of River Corridors. Remote Sensing 2020, 12, 1345 .
AMA StyleJochen Hack, Diana Molewijk, Manuel R. Beißler. A Conceptual Approach to Modeling the Geospatial Impact of Typical Urban Threats on the Habitat Quality of River Corridors. Remote Sensing. 2020; 12 (8):1345.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJochen Hack; Diana Molewijk; Manuel R. Beißler. 2020. "A Conceptual Approach to Modeling the Geospatial Impact of Typical Urban Threats on the Habitat Quality of River Corridors." Remote Sensing 12, no. 8: 1345.
The conventional urban stormwater management practices focus on carrying away runoff quickly by lined conveyors, which increase the surface runoff and reduce the time of concentration, subsequently causing floods in downstream areas. Ecological Management Practices (EMPs) provide nature-based solutions for reducing flood risks in a sustainable and economically viable manner. However, in the rapidly urbanizing setups in developing nations, the application of EMPs is limited due to space availability, data scarcity and limited funding. This study uses a Non-Linear Programming Optimization Technique to provide modelling solutions in optimizing the land-use and costs under EMPs to reduce flood risks in the Quebrada Aries watershed in the Municipality of Heredia in Costa Rica. Depending on the availability and ease of execution, a combination of three EMPs (bio-retention areas, infiltration trenches and green roofs) were tested. The effect of the application of derived optimal combinations has been analysed. The optimal combination of EMPs analysed for different channel capacity was able to reduce the peak discharge for the worst flood causing event of 50 years return period from 16.86 m3/s (under current land-use) to 9 m3/s, 9.51 m3/s, 8.38 m3/s and 9.13 m3/s in four hypothetical scenarios considered. In urbanized catchments, EMPs cannot be applied indefinitely to avoid floods. However, an optimal combination of EMPs can drastically reduce the requirement of large capacity drainage channels. This information can help policy-makers to analyse trade-offs between urban development and flood control measures. The study is suitable for other data-scarce regions as well.
Apoorva Singh; Arup Kumar Sarma; Jochen Hack. Cost-Effective Optimization of Nature-Based Solutions for Reducing Urban Floods Considering Limited Space Availability. Environmental Processes 2020, 7, 297 -319.
AMA StyleApoorva Singh, Arup Kumar Sarma, Jochen Hack. Cost-Effective Optimization of Nature-Based Solutions for Reducing Urban Floods Considering Limited Space Availability. Environmental Processes. 2020; 7 (1):297-319.
Chicago/Turabian StyleApoorva Singh; Arup Kumar Sarma; Jochen Hack. 2020. "Cost-Effective Optimization of Nature-Based Solutions for Reducing Urban Floods Considering Limited Space Availability." Environmental Processes 7, no. 1: 297-319.
Nature-based-solutions (NBS) pursue a combination of economic, social, and environmental benefits that can meet municipal goals on stormwater and rapid urbanization problems. However, NBS have fallen behind in reaching to the political and legal framework, and with this, to a policy mix for urban stormwater sustainability. When looking closer at NBS, it becomes evident that they are loaded with many barriers, including institutional and political ones, as well as those that exist in the urban area social context. These barriers are also deepened by the lack of policy guidelines and few demonstration projects. In this respect, this paper combines the concepts of urban experiments and the policy feedback cycle (PFC) into a singular assessment tool. It´s goal is to assess Costa Rica’s municipal readiness in the implementation of NBS within the context of policy design and implementation. Therefore, this paper focusses on the first two stages of the PFC of an existing urban experiment to extract its policy insights for the successful replication of NBS projects. This novel method aims to contribute to the ongoing debate with respect to the ability of experimentation to prompt scalability and transferability of results. Hence, the New York City Green Infrastructure plan is considered as an urban experiment that promotes sustainable policy initiatives; while the PFC can identify and (re)formulate these policies initiatives and barriers into an adaptable policy guideline. Results indicate that sustainability policies at the municipal level should incorporate incentive mechanisms policies on (i) community involvement and communication; and (ii) transdisciplinary knowledge transfer between specialists and stakeholders. Finally, this paper suggests the inter-municipal cross-institutional collaboration and the recognition of external trigger events to incentivize a sustainable urban transition.
Veronica Alejandra Neumann; Jochen Hack. A Methodology of Policy Assessment at the Municipal Level: Costa Rica´s Readiness for the Implementation of Nature-Based-Solutions for Urban Stormwater Management. Sustainability 2019, 12, 230 .
AMA StyleVeronica Alejandra Neumann, Jochen Hack. A Methodology of Policy Assessment at the Municipal Level: Costa Rica´s Readiness for the Implementation of Nature-Based-Solutions for Urban Stormwater Management. Sustainability. 2019; 12 (1):230.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVeronica Alejandra Neumann; Jochen Hack. 2019. "A Methodology of Policy Assessment at the Municipal Level: Costa Rica´s Readiness for the Implementation of Nature-Based-Solutions for Urban Stormwater Management." Sustainability 12, no. 1: 230.
Urbanization nowadays results in the most dynamic and drastic changes in land use/land cover, with a significant impact on the environment. A detailed analysis and assessment of this process is necessary to take informed actions to reduce its impact on the environment and human well-being. In most parts of the world, detailed information on the composition, structure, extent, and temporal changes of urban areas is lacking. The purpose of this study is to present a methodology to produce high-resolution land use/land cover maps by the use of free software and satellite imagery. These maps can help to understand dynamic urbanizations processes to plan, design, and coordinate sustainable urban development plans, especially in areas with limited resources and advancing environmental degradation. A series of high-resolution true color images provided by Google Earth Pro were used to do initial classifications with the Semi-Automatic Classification Plug-in in QGIS. Afterwards, a new methodology to improve the classification by the elimination of shadows and clouds, and a reduction of misclassifications through superimposition was applied. The classification was carried out for three urban areas in León, Nicaragua, with different degrees of urbanization for the years 2009, 2015, and 2018. Finally, the accuracy of the classification was analyzed using randomly defined validation polygons. The results are three sets of high-resolution land use/land cover maps of the initial and the improved classification, showing the detailed structures and temporal dynamics of urbanization. The average accuracy of classification reaches 74%, but up to 85% for the best classification. The results clearly identify advancing urbanization, the loss of vegetation and riparian zones, and threats to urban ecosystems. In general, the level of detail and simplicity of our methodology is a valuable tool to support sustainable urban management, although its application is not limited to these areas and can also be employed to track changes over time, providing therefore, relevant information to a wide range of decision-makers.
Fernando Chapa; Srividya Hariharan; Jochen Hack. A New Approach to High-Resolution Urban Land Use Classification Using Open Access Software and True Color Satellite Images. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5266 .
AMA StyleFernando Chapa, Srividya Hariharan, Jochen Hack. A New Approach to High-Resolution Urban Land Use Classification Using Open Access Software and True Color Satellite Images. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (19):5266.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFernando Chapa; Srividya Hariharan; Jochen Hack. 2019. "A New Approach to High-Resolution Urban Land Use Classification Using Open Access Software and True Color Satellite Images." Sustainability 11, no. 19: 5266.
Agro-pastoral dams are multiple purpose water reservoirs primarily constructed to help pastoralists and riparian farmers address water shortages in rural areas. These dams are often surrounded by a buffer zone intended to minimize sedimentation and evapotranspiration. In spite of the importance of these dams for riparian communities’ livelihoods, their sustainability is nowadays challenged by various management issues underlined by stakeholders’ perception and valuation of ecosystem services provided by the dam system (reservoir-buffer zone). Taking the agro-pastoral dam of Sakabansi village in northern Benin as a case study, we assessed, quantified and valued both actual and potential benefits derived by riparian communities from the dam system using the ecosystem services cascade model as a conceptual framework. The Aggregated Economic Value of services provided by the dam system was estimated to 128,166 € based on nine ecosystem services. Fishery activities, despite causing conflicts between two major stakeholders of the dam, represented less than 0.09% of the Aggregated Economic Value. This suggests the crucial need to raise communities’ awareness on the economic value of various other benefits they derived from the dam system in order to facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of benefits and costs. We finally discussed the relevance of our valuation outputs in analysing trade-offs among services and in fostering stakeholder dialogues to inform land allocation and management at the local scale.
Check Abdel Kader Baba; Jochen Hack. Economic valuation of ecosystem services for the sustainable management of agropastoral dams. A case study of the Sakabansi dam, northern Benin. Ecological Indicators 2019, 107, 105648 .
AMA StyleCheck Abdel Kader Baba, Jochen Hack. Economic valuation of ecosystem services for the sustainable management of agropastoral dams. A case study of the Sakabansi dam, northern Benin. Ecological Indicators. 2019; 107 ():105648.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCheck Abdel Kader Baba; Jochen Hack. 2019. "Economic valuation of ecosystem services for the sustainable management of agropastoral dams. A case study of the Sakabansi dam, northern Benin." Ecological Indicators 107, no. : 105648.
Natural rivers in urban areas bear significant potential to provide ecosystem services for the surrounding inhabitants. However, surface sealing by houses and street networks, urban drainage, disposal of waste and wastewater resulting from advancing urbanization usually lead to the deterioration of urban rivers and their riparian areas. This ultimately damages their ability to provide ecosystem services. This paper presents an innovative methodology for a rapid and low-cost assessment of the ecological status of urban rivers and riparian areas in developing countries under data scarce conditions. The methodology uses a combination of field data and freely available high-resolution satellite images to assess three ecological status categories: river hydromorphology, water quality, and riparian land cover. The focus here is on the assessment of proxies for biophysical structures and processes representing ecological functioning that enable urban rivers and riparian areas to provide ecosystem services. These proxies represent a combination of remote sensing land cover- and field-based indicators. Finally, the three ecological status categories are combined to quantify the potential of different river sections to provide regulating ecosystem services. The development and application of the methodology is demonstrated and visualized for each 100 m section of the Pochote River in the City of León, Nicaragua. This spatially distributed information of the ecosystem service potential of individual sections of the urban river and riparian areas can serve as important information for decision making regarding the protection, future use, and city development of these areas, as well as the targeted and tailor-made development of nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure.
Manuel R. Beißler; Jochen Hack. A Combined Field and Remote-Sensing based Methodology to Assess the Ecosystem Service Potential of Urban Rivers in Developing Countries. Remote Sensing 2019, 11, 1697 .
AMA StyleManuel R. Beißler, Jochen Hack. A Combined Field and Remote-Sensing based Methodology to Assess the Ecosystem Service Potential of Urban Rivers in Developing Countries. Remote Sensing. 2019; 11 (14):1697.
Chicago/Turabian StyleManuel R. Beißler; Jochen Hack. 2019. "A Combined Field and Remote-Sensing based Methodology to Assess the Ecosystem Service Potential of Urban Rivers in Developing Countries." Remote Sensing 11, no. 14: 1697.
Natural rivers in urban areas bear significant potential to provide ecosystem services for the surrounding inhabitants. However, surface sealing by houses and street networks, urban drainage, disposal of waste and wastewater resulting from advancing urbanization usually lead to the deterioration of urban rivers and their riparian areas. This ultimately damages their ability to provide ecosystem services. This paper presents an innovative methodology for a rapid and low-cost assessment of the ecological status of urban rivers and riparian areas in developing countries under data scarce conditions. The methodology uses a combination of field data and freely available high-resolution satellite images to assess three ecological status categories: river hydromorphology, water quality, and riparian land cover. The focus here is on the assessment of proxies for biophysical structures and processes representing ecological functioning that enable urban rivers and riparian areas to provide ecosystem services. These proxies represent a combination of remote sensing land cover- and field-based indicators. Finally, the three ecological status categories are combined to quantify the potential of different river sections to provide regulating ecosystem services. The development and application of the methodology is demonstrated and visualized for each 100 m section of the Pochote River in the City of León, Nicaragua. This spatially distributed information of the ecosystem service potential of individual sections of the urban river and riparian areas can serve as important information for decision making regarding the protection, future use, and city development of these areas, as well as the targeted and tailor-made development of nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure.
Manuel R. Beißler; Jochen Hack. A Combined Field and Remote-Sensing Based Methodology to Assess the Ecosystem Service Potential of Urban Rivers in Developing Countries. 2019, 1 .
AMA StyleManuel R. Beißler, Jochen Hack. A Combined Field and Remote-Sensing Based Methodology to Assess the Ecosystem Service Potential of Urban Rivers in Developing Countries. . 2019; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleManuel R. Beißler; Jochen Hack. 2019. "A Combined Field and Remote-Sensing Based Methodology to Assess the Ecosystem Service Potential of Urban Rivers in Developing Countries." , no. : 1.
Different simulation models are used in science and practice in order to incorporate hydrological ecosystem services in decision-making processes. This contribution compares three simulation models, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool, a traditional hydrological model and two ecosystem services models, the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs model and the Resource Investment Optimization System model. The three models are compared on a theoretical and conceptual basis as well in a comparative case study application. The application of the models to a study area in Nicaragua reveals that a practical benefit to apply these models for different questions in decision-making generally exists. However, modelling of hydrological ecosystem services is associated with a high application effort and requires input data that may not always be available. The degree of detail in temporal and spatial variability in ecosystem service provision is higher when using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool compared to the two ecosystem service models. In contrast, the ecosystem service models have lower requirements on input data and process knowledge. A relationship between service provision and beneficiaries is readily produced and can be visualized as a model output. The visualization is especially useful for a practical decision-making context.
Anna Lüke; Jochen Hack. Comparing the Applicability of Commonly Used Hydrological Ecosystem Services Models for Integrated Decision-Support. Sustainability 2018, 10, 346 .
AMA StyleAnna Lüke, Jochen Hack. Comparing the Applicability of Commonly Used Hydrological Ecosystem Services Models for Integrated Decision-Support. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (2):346.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Lüke; Jochen Hack. 2018. "Comparing the Applicability of Commonly Used Hydrological Ecosystem Services Models for Integrated Decision-Support." Sustainability 10, no. 2: 346.