Application of the Envision Framework in Sustainable Rainwater Management: A Case Study on Rain-Garden Bands for Urban Road Drainage

Rainwater drainage plays a pivotal role in ensuring road safety. Traditional drainage systems not only entail significant costs but also necessitate ongoing maintenance. Current stormwater inlets often lead to inconsistent water absorption, and factors like climate change and infrastructure wear highlight the pressing need for improvement across developing and advanced nations. The paper introduces the city-sponge approach as a cost-effective and efficient alternative for managing rainwater. This method utilizes natural 'sponges' like rain gardens, permeable pavements, and green roofs.

The core proposition is the innovative 'rain-garden bands.' These serve dual purposes: facilitating swift and uniform road water absorption and reducing vehicular impact during accidents. Further, the poster delineates examples of designs for multi-tiered roads, integrating raised bike paths and walkways. Such designs counteract the energy of descending rainwater, preventing erosion and allowing for diverse urban vegetation. The proposed solution's foundation lies in a unique mathematical model to determine the optimal size of impingement plates for water collection.

The overarching goal is to foster safer urban roads through efficient rainwater management, eliminating the need for intricate, high-cost engineering solutions. Implementing the rain-garden bands with the city-sponge approach promises to deliver secure, dry roads, revolutionizing urban infrastructure design.