Roadmap for Implementation of Water-Sensitive Urban Design and Planning in Delhi

November 18, 2020

November 18, 2020

Stormwater Harvesting in Public Parks and Open Spaces

This report is prepared by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) as a guiding document to mainstream the approach of Water-Sensitive Urban Design and Planning (WSUDP) principles in the NCT of Delhi. Considering the urban issues, there is a need to push for alternative stormwater management techniques which can lead to sustainable groundwater infiltration while preventing urban flooding in the long-run in Delhi. It is high time we realize that urban stormwater management is not just dealing with the problem of excess water (in the form of rainfall), but to convert it into a resource and conserve it. This report advocates stormwater harvesting in parks and open spaces in Delhi as a measure to augment the drainage system of the city, and to address issues related to waterlogging and urban flooding. The report showcases the potential of run-off moderation and infiltration in stormwater harvesting systems in parks and green open spaces in Delhi. It provides an overview of the NCT of Delhi, and also examines potential pilot cases, in the form of select parks, for implementation of WSUDP strategies.