Modeling and Implementing the sponge city plan using underground infiltration galleries Case Study of Qazvin Plain

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student in Water and Hydraulic Structures Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

2 Assistant professor, Civil Engineering Department, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran.

Abstract

The increase in impervious urban surfaces such as sidewalks, paving stones, streets, buildings, etc. has reduced the infiltration of precipitation into the ground and increased runoff on urban surfaces, which may lead to flash floods. One of the fundamental challenges in urban flood management is how to manage surface runoff. In recent years, various solutions such as Best Management Practices (BMPs), Low Impact Development (LID) methods, and also a combination of these methods have been used to manage urban runoff. One of these solutions, which is used today in countries such as Germany and China, is a solution called "sponge cities". In this method, urban runoff is managed in such a way that water does not easily leave the urban space and infiltrates into groundwater. This study examines the performance of underground permeable channels in the context of implementing the sponge city idea. The effect of infiltrated water on increasing groundwater levels has also been investigated. For this purpose, Visual MODFlOW Flex software was used to simulate 3D groundwater. The study area is the northeastern area of ​​Qazvin city, with an area of ​​approximately 300 hectares. The modeling results indicate a 22% decrease in annual runoff volume and an increase in groundwater levels of 5 centimeters per year. In fact, the results show the effectiveness of the presented method in reducing the volume of urban runoff and also increasing the groundwater level.

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References

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Hydrogeology
Volume 10, Issue 1
August 2025
Pages 103-116

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