Navigating Flooding Challenges in Historical Urban Contexts: Integrating Nature-Based Solutions with Spatial Multi-Criteria Assessments in Quanzhou

Mo Wang (), Jiayu Zhao, Jin Su (), Rana Muhammad Adnan Ikram and Manling Yang ()
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Mo Wang: College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Jiayu Zhao: College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Jin Su: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja 86400, Malaysia
Rana Muhammad Adnan Ikram: College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Manling Yang: Art School, Hunan University of Information Technology, Changsha 410151, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-23

Abstract: Urban flooding presents acute challenges in heritage cities, where dense populations and valuable cultural assets coexist. While Nature-Based Solutions (NbSs) have been widely studied, their implementation in heritage cities remains underexplored due to spatial constraints and cultural sensitivities. This study develops a quantitative evaluative framework integrating the Spatial Multi-Criteria Evaluation (SMCE) and NbSs to address urban flooding in Quanzhou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In GIS-based spatial analysis, the framework prioritizes high-risk zones by synthesizing hydrological and socio-economic factors. The analysis reveals that the Surface Runoff Coefficient (SRC) contributes 30% to urban flooding exposure, with high building congestion and elevated PM2.5 levels exacerbating risks by 17% and 16.8%, respectively. Vulnerability mapping underscores the critical role of cultural heritage, accounting for 71.1% of the vulnerability index, and highlights priority townships such as Linjiang, Kaiyuan, and Lizhong, with integrated exposure and vulnerability rates of 11.8%, 10.3%, and 9.5%, respectively. This study proposes four NbS models tailored to heritage urban landscapes, with Solution I—direct surface infiltration—identified as the most applicable, covering 170.9 ha, followed by Solution II—subterranean stormwater infiltration—at 52.3 ha. Despite limited spatial feasibility (1.3–33.5% of township areas), the framework demonstrates significant potential for integrating NbSs with existing grey infrastructure, contributing to flood risk mitigation and broader sustainability goals. The findings provide actionable insights for urban planners and policymakers, offering a replicable methodology for the deployment of NbSs in heritage-rich urban contexts worldwide. By bridging flood risk management with cultural preservation, this work advances the discourse on resilient and sustainable urban planning.

Keywords: nature-based solution; urban flooding; heritage cities; historic cities; spatial multi-criteria evaluation; Quanzhou (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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