Vilach - integrated and cooperative measures for stormwater management at local (demonstration) sites

Due to climate change, cities today are confronted with a multitude of new challenges. Heavy rainfall events bring existing sewage systems to their capacity limits, and longer periods of drought and heat place a great strain on people as well as urban flora and fauna. The use of blue-green infrastructure has already proven to be an effective adaptation measure in many places. These nature-oriented solutions fulfil several functions (relief of drainage systems, reduction of urban heat islands, multifunctional use of the scarce resource soil or space as recreation and living space) and can be the starting point for social innovations involving different stakeholders. From a purely technical point of view, the existing methods for nature-based rainwater management are therefore considered tried and tested. Nevertheless, there is a delay in implementation from the perspective of sustainable urban development. On the one hand, this is due to technical challenges in the urban environment (limited areas, conflicts of use above and below ground), and on the other hand, to legal and organisational limits from the previously existing system "city". Currently, measures on both the private and public side are thought of within the framework of their respective property boundaries or responsibilities. Cooperative, integrative planning and implementation including impact evaluation as well as corresponding governance and participation structures have not been established. This research project is dedicated to this transformation process of the system "city". In the demo area "Kanaltaler Siedlung", cooperative measures are to be implemented and tested with the involvement of all relevant actors and taking into account technical/hydrological, social, organisational/legal, microclimatic/ecological and economic aspects. Derived from these experiences, the project concludes with a guideline for action that is intended to provide a template and orientation for integrative and cooperative precipitation water management both for the city of Villach and for other municipalities.