A fuzzy TOPSIS-based approach for prioritizing low-impact development methods in high-density residential areas

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Urban Planning
• Sustainable Water Management

Background:

• Urban areas face significant surface runoff challenges impacting infrastructure and environment.
• Low-Impact Development (LID) offers sustainable solutions for managing urban stormwater.
• Evaluating multiple LID strategies is crucial for effective urban water management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare six distinct LID methods for urban surface runoff control.
• To evaluate LID performance based on runoff reduction, economic, and social sustainability.
• To prioritize the most effective LID strategy for urban environments using multi-criteria decision analysis.

Main Methods:

• Implementation and evaluation of six LID methods: green roof, infiltration trench, bio-retention cell, rain barrel, and combined scenarios.
• Utilizing the SWMM model to quantify runoff volume and peak flow reductions.
• Employing economic analysis and expert questionnaires for social sustainability assessment.
• Applying Fuzzy TOPSIS multi-criteria decision analysis for method prioritization.

Main Results:

• The combined scenario of Rain barrel + Bio retention cell was identified as the optimal LID strategy.
• This optimal method demonstrated peak runoff flow reductions ranging from 23.1% to 66.1% for 10-year return period rainfall.
• The Green roof + infiltration trench method achieved the highest volume reduction (2,737 m³), while the infiltration trench alone showed the lowest (273 m³).

Conclusions:

• Combined LID approaches, specifically Rain barrel + Bio retention cell, offer superior performance in urban runoff management.
• A comprehensive evaluation considering hydrological, economic, and social factors is essential for selecting effective LID solutions.
• LID strategies significantly contribute to mitigating the adverse effects of surface runoff in urban settings.