A New Perspective on Blue–Green Infrastructure for Climate Adaptation in Urbanized Areas: A Soil-Pipe System as a Multifunctional Solution

Henrike Walther (), Christoph Bennerscheidt, Dirk Jan Boudeling, Markus Streckenbach, Felix Simon, Christoph Mudersbach, Saphira Schnaut, Mark Oelmann and Markus Quirmbach ()
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Henrike Walther: Department of Urban Water Management, University of Applied Sciences Ruhr West, 45479 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
Christoph Bennerscheidt: European Association for Ductile Iron Pipe Systems, 45699 Herten, Germany
Dirk Jan Boudeling: ROCKWOOL Rainwater Systems, 6045 JH Roermond, The Netherlands
Markus Streckenbach: Expert Office for Urban Vegetation, 44789 Bochum, Germany
Felix Simon: Department of Hydraulic Engineering and Hydromechanics, University of Applied Sciences Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
Christoph Mudersbach: Department of Hydraulic Engineering and Hydromechanics, University of Applied Sciences Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
Saphira Schnaut: Department of Urban Water Management, University of Applied Sciences Ruhr West, 45479 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
Mark Oelmann: Department of Urban Water Management, University of Applied Sciences Ruhr West, 45479 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
Markus Quirmbach: Department of Urban Water Management, University of Applied Sciences Ruhr West, 45479 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-26

Abstract: The implementation of a decentralized blue–green infrastructure (BGI) is a key strategy in climate adaptation and stormwater management. However, the integration of urban trees into the multifunctional infrastructure remains insufficiently addressed, particularly regarding rooting space in dense urban environments. Addressing this gap, the BoRSiS project developed the soil-pipe system (SPS), which repurposes the existing underground pipe trenches and roadway space to provide trees with significantly larger root zones without competing for additional urban space. This enhances tree-related ecosystem services, such as cooling, air purification, and runoff reduction. The SPS serves as a stormwater retention system by capturing excess rainwater during heavy precipitation events of up to 180 min, reducing the pressure on drainage systems. System evaluations show that, on average, each SPS module (20 m trench length) can store 1028–1285 L of water, enabling a moisture supply to trees for 3.4 to 25.7 days depending on the species and site conditions. This capacity allows the system to buffer short-term drought periods, which, according to climate data, recur with frequencies of 9 (7-day) and 2 (14-day) events per year. Geotechnical and economic assessments confirm the system stability and cost-efficiency. These findings position the SPS as a scalable, multifunctional solution for urban climate adaptation, tree vitality, and a resilient infrastructure.

Keywords: blue–green infrastructure; climate adaptation; BoRSiS; urban tree; stormwater management; multifunctional infrastructure; Soil-Pipe-System (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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