Sustainable management of urban watercourses: the Vila Nova de Gaia historic center case study

Abstract

Watercourses in the urban environment play a relevant role, promoting sustainability conditions and improving the life quality of the regions. In this context, the management of this resource has face up serious challenges over the years. Climate change associated with an increasing imperviousness of soils in urban centers are added problems, increasing peak flows and their impacts. The study of new methodologies to mitigate these problems are, therefore, an urgent need. This article aims to present the case study of the Vila Nova de Gaia Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where water streams have, historically, been the support on urban activities. As a result, structural and non-structural measures are proposal, which is believed to have direct and positive impacts in promoting a more efficient management of these watercourses ? mitigating their negative effects, namely floods ? and enhancing the sustainable development of the region.