Cor Simon won Poster Competition at ELLS

Abstract of MSc Thesis Cor Simon:

Great parts of Beira, a delta city of Mozambique, overflow in the rainy season. Especially in the district of Chota the flooding causes nuisance, (economic) damage and waterborne diseases. Chota becomes quickly urbanized by the expansion of Beira city, which increases flooding and hampers climate change adaptation. The goal of this thesis is to explore the potential of green-blue infrastructure to reduce its flooding and improve the liveability. A two month field study, one week workshop and a landscape based and –ecosystem services design is done for Chota. Results from the field study show that Chota is mainly a clayey wetland where rainwater gathers from other parts of Beira. During heavy rain, the canal is not capable to drain the area well, so that water stream into the houses. From the participative workshop a set of green-blue measures were selected including trees along roads, improvement of the canal and retention ponds. Drawings in photo’s proved hereby as a great discussion tool. The green-blue measures are designed into profiles that form the principle for each structure of Chota (road, canal, gardens, plots, dunes). The profiles together form an integrated green-blue infrastructure nested in different scales, which would absorb and drain the area and provide many other ecosystem services (e.g. wind break, recreation and food). Although the green-blue infrastructure design needs more in detail research and calculations, it seems to have great potential. The concept is in favour by the residents because it’s natural, simple and multifunctional. The question is if green-blue infrastructure can be successful in their more organic way of planning. In any case it is recommended to integrate green-blue infrastructure planning by the start of each new urban development before there is no space left for green and blue spaces.