Urbanization and Climate Change: A Study on the Impact of Low-Impact Development on Flooding

The rapid expansion of urbanization and city development is a leading cause of land use change from natural to artificial surfaces, increasing the risk of flooding with numerous social and economic consequences. In this context, researchers from Allameh Tabatabai University in Iran have explored the effectiveness of Low-Impact Development (LID) techniques in mitigating urban floods in the Garmsar urban area. The study, supported by the Iran Metrological Organization and the Urban Development Office of the Garmsar Municipality, aimed to examine how LID techniques can help control urban floods under both historical rainfall and land cover conditions as well as future scenarios.

Key Takeaways:

• The expansion of urbanization is a leading cause of land use change from natural to artificial surfaces, increasing the risk of flooding.
• Low-Impact Development (LID) techniques, such as permeable pavement, infiltration trenches, and green roofs, can mitigate social and economic damages caused by urban flooding.
• The existing drainage system in the Garmsar urban area is inadequate to manage urban runoff, leading to flooding.
• Integrating LID techniques with the existing drainage system proved highly effective in reducing total runoff volume by up to 100% in some sub-catchments under both historical and future scenarios.
• The study confirms the adverse effects of land use and climate change in exacerbating floods and underscores the need for urban planners to incorporate LID strategies in city development.
• The research highlights the importance of considering climate change scenarios in urban planning and design to reduce the risk of flooding.
• The study suggests that LID techniques can be an effective solution to mitigate urban flooding in urban areas.

Statistics:

• Up to 100% reduction in total runoff volume in some sub-catchments under both historical and future scenarios (Source: Water Resources Management, 39(11):5637-5652).
• The existing drainage system in the Garmsar urban area is inadequate to manage urban runoff, leading to flooding (Source: Performance Assessment of Lid Techniques To Control Urban Floods Under Historical and Future Rainfall and Land Cover Scenarios).
• The study was supported by the Iran Metrological Organization and the Urban Development Office of the Garmsar Municipality (Source: Allameh Tabatabai University).

Sources:

• Water Resources Management, 2025; 39(11):5637-5652.
• Performance Assessment of Lid Techniques To Control Urban Floods Under Historical and Future Rainfall and Land Cover Scenarios.
• Allameh Tabatabai University.
• NewsRx LLC.