Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The focus of the study is on pond management in urban areas for the better control of stormwater runoffs, as well as increasing biodiversity in urban areas. Although there is an increasing number of implementations of the concept of urban ponds, there is scant literature available on the management aspects of these structures once the pond is constructed. The question the study seeks to answer is: What roles and management practices support stormwater mitigation and biodiversity enhancement in urban ponds?

A qualitative method is used, with the study depending on secondary sources from the academic literature. The secondary data is systematically analyzed, with the six steps provided by Braun & Clarke followed in the process of determining the themes from the study. The themes emanating from the study are the role of urban ponds in the conservation of freshwater biodiversity, the management of stormwater runoff, as well as sustainability in the urban environment.

The themes that emerged from the analysis are three: (1) the ecological role of urban ponds in the support of freshwater biota, (2) the technical management practices necessary to maintain stormwater regulation, and (3) the social aspects of the maintenance process, which establish the nexus with policy support.

The importance of maintenance, the control of water quality, and the involvement of specialized equipment or personnel is made clear by the study results. Good management practices, including the prevention of pollution or the provision of habitat, are necessary for the achievement of stormwater management, as well as the protection of biodiversity.