Cloudbursts (sudden, violent rainstorms) are a threat to many cities. Systems designed to handle rainfalls of a different pattern, duration and intensity cannot handle the runoff produced by cloudbursts, which can result in extensive urban flooding.
In the wake of the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, New York City is undertaking a large scale planning effort to cope with cloudbursts. As such, they have been looking to other ‘sister cities’, like Copenhagen, for inspiration and to exchange knowledge.
Mitigating the effects of cloudburst required Copenhagen to look at its system in a new light. It necessitated making some planning decisions to determine the best way for the city to spend its money in order to get the level of protection needed. This change in the way of thinking about infrastructure is an important topic of conversation for the event hosted by the Danish Cleantech Hub.
As part of the talk, Lykke Leonardsen, the head of Copenhagen’s Climate Unit and the person in charge of the Climate Change Adaptation Programme, will further explain Copenhagen’s Cloudburst Management Plan. Adopted in November 2014, the plan is a resiliency strategy focused on preparing Copenhagen for a 100-year rainfall event. It comprises 300 projects that will be implemented over the next 20 years, including:
- the extensive construction of storm water roads
- innovative detention areas
- integrated smart city planning
Eric Fontenot, one of our urban drainage experts from DHI United States, will discuss some of the work we have done in conjunction with the Cloudburst Management Plan. He will also present information about the technologies and engineering behind its implementation, including:
- the development of specific models
- project outcomes
- lessons learned
‘The use of numerical models, both at a detailed catchment level and at a higher strategic level, play an integral role in understanding the flooding risk associated with cloudburst events in Copenhagen’, says Eric. ‘It is also important for evaluating system improvements to mitigate risks and provide resiliency into the future’.
The talk will take place from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.
Location Details
Urban Future Lab
15 MetroTech Roadway, 19th floor
Brooklyn, New York 11201
About the Danish Cleantech Hub
The Danish Cleantech Hub is an American-Danish public-private partnership composed of more than 2,200 cleantech companies. It serves as a single point of entry for all cleantech related activities between Denmark and New York.