Analysis of UBC’s Stormwater Management and Case Studies

Analysis of UBC’s Stormwater Management and Case Studies

Kelly (Sumin) Joe

Abstract

Trees and vegetation provide important benefits to the environment. Undoubtedly, trees on the UBC Vancouver campus also provide many benefits, one being that it provides storm and rainwater mitigation. Though UBC manages stormwater through their Integrated Stormwater Management Plan, increased runoff due to the exacerbating effects due to climate change results in the need for better management. This study assesses where the stormwater accumulates on campus, and the trees’ abilities in mitigating stormwater using i-Tree Canopy, i-Tree Eco, ArcGIS Pro, and the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Case studies on other cities and university campuses were done. Recommendations to what UBC could do to improve their stormwater management were given. Additionally, a recommended list of trees based on their ability to tolerate saturated soils and drought is given. From the given list, 7 out of 8 trees were already present on campus, though the total number of those trees only accounted for 1.27% of all trees that are within the dataset (7,792 trees) which are located on the northern side of the campus. Lastly, a study on other campuses and cities’ stormwater management plans was conducted and how their practices can be implemented on the UBC campus was examined. This study’s methodology and results can be implemented in planning other campuses or smaller-sized residential areas.

Keywords: Stormwater, ArcGIS Pro, i-Tree Eco, i-Tree Canopy, SWMM model, University campus, Trees, Urban forestry

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