The creation of a water circulation system in a city suggests various ways to tackle such problems faced by a city and, therefore, considered as an important element in future-oriented urban planning by developed nations. In recognition of such proble...
The creation of a water circulation system in a city suggests various ways to tackle such problems faced by a city and, therefore, considered as an important element in future-oriented urban planning by developed nations. In recognition of such problems, this study focused on creating water circulation systems in relatively large urban development projects, such as a new town development. In particular, it aimed at selecting sites for ecologically' effective, multi-functional wetlands at the environmental and ecological planning stage, which is before land use planning.
In order to achieve such objectives, related theories and literatures were reviewed in depth, based on which, a site selection model was built. The model in this study was developed with an ultimate focus on creating a water circulation system for a newly created city, dispersing and retaining run-off that is increased due to urbanization and securing sites and space to create wetlands that can promote urban biodiversity.
A series of process for selecting a site for wetland restoration and creation - watershed analysis, selection of evaluation items, calculation of weights, preparation of thematic maps and synthesis ¬was defined into a model.
The feasibility and limitations of the developed model were examined by applying it to a site planned for Songpa Geoyeo New Town development, which is located in the capital region. When the model was applied, the site was divided into 13 sub-catchment areas at the watershed analysis stage. Inflow to watersheds including the planned site was 3,020,765 m'. Run-off before and after the development is estimated at 1,901,969m' and 1,970,735-2,039,502 m', respectively. The total storage capacity required in the development area is 68,766-137,533 m'. When thematic maps were overlapped at the stage of selecting a site for wetland restoration and creation, 13 sub-catchment areas were prioritized for wetland restoration and creation.
When the site and area of wetlands to retain run-off were calculated, findings showed that various types of wetlands, including retaining wetlands (area wetlands), riverine wetlands (linear wetlands) and pond wetlands (point wetlands), can be created and they can be connected organically. By providing a basic framework for the water circulation system plan of the entire city, it may be used effectively in a space planing stage, such as planning an urban eco-network through integration with green areas.
This study is about building a model to select sites for wetland restoration and creation at a watershed level to build a water circulation system for urban areas. The brief significance of this study is as follows.
First, wetland restoration and creation approached in this study draws attention from civil engineering area for its function to reduce urban run-off, urban planning area as a facility for urban planning, and a landscape architecture, environmental & ecological planning and biology area in a perspective of habitats. This study is significant in a sense that it has attempted an integrated approach that includes a number of fields in one planning process by seeking a site for a multi-functional wetland at a watershed level.
Second, it is timely appropriate given that it sought watershed-level wetland restoration and creation, which is newly considered as a environmental planning and management unit. It is also significant that the study promotes the multi-functions of wetland by seeking water quality control, water volume control and ecosystem management at a watershed level in urban development.
Third, recently, this study is significant that it has applied a specific model at an urban water circulation system level when environment and ecological planing has been institutionalized recently for developing a new town or a housing complex. This may be useful to national land & environment planning guidelines going forward.
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