Stormwater Management: Issues, Opportunities, and Challenges in Cities and Communities

Stormwater management poses significant challenges for urban and community settings, demanding innovative solutions to mitigate its adverse impacts and capitalise on opportunities for sustainable development. This chapter explores the multifaceted landscape of stormwater management, investigating its issues, opportunities, and associated challenges within cities and communities. As we know, the excess of impervious surfaces aggravates stormwater runoff, leading to several problems in our cities, such as, pollution, flooding, and erosion. Traditional infrastructure struggles to cope with these pressures, requiring a shift towards green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Opportunities arise in the integration of well-known sustainable design principles, such as green roofs, permeable pavements, and rain gardens, which not only manage stormwater but also enhance urban aesthetics and biodiversity. However, implementing these solutions encounters challenges ranging from financial constraints to regulatory barriers and community engagement. Effective stormwater management demands interdisciplinary collaboration, stakeholder involvement, and adaptive strategies tailored to local contexts. By addressing these challenges and embracing opportunities, cities and communities can forge resilient, sustainable, and liveable environments amidst the complexities of stormwater management. This ice-breaking chapter delves into arguments around water sustainability issues, SDGs and water security matters, questioning particular stormwater management factors that need further attention and research. Lastly, the chapter provides an overview of the book’s structure as well as the chapter abstracts from all our contributing authors.