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Adapting Bioretention Construction Details to Local Practices in Finland

Author

Listed:
  • Outi Tahvonen

    (Bioeconomy Research Unit, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), Lepaantie 129, FI-14610 Lepaa, Finland)

Abstract

Bioretention is a method of storm water management that includes several processes following the natural hydrological cycle. Bioretention, or variations of it, include rain gardens and bioswales, infiltrates, filtrates, evapotranspirates, and help to store and manage storm water run-off. A bioretention cell retains water, removes pollutants, and provides water elements for urban green areas. Although bioretention is a promising method for multifunctional storm water management, its construction details should not be copied from other climatic areas. A direct application may dismiss local conditions, materials, and construction practices. This study aimed to adapt construction details for bioretention to Finnish local practices and conditions and to formulate bioretention constructions that balance water, soil, and vegetation. First, construction details were reviewed, then local adaptations were applied, and finally, the application and two variations of growing media in two construction depths were tested in a test field in Southern Finland. Sandy growing media allowed the efficient retention of water during the first year, but failed to provide vital growth. The use of topsoil and compost in the growing media improved growth, but held high electrical conductivity after infiltration. All the experimental cells in the test field showed activity during the melting periods, both during winter and spring. If bioretention plays a multifunctional role in urban design and engineered ecology, the design parameters should not only focus on storm water quantity, but also on quality management and vegetation growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Outi Tahvonen, 2018. "Adapting Bioretention Construction Details to Local Practices in Finland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-17, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:2:p:276-:d:128202
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Fortino Acosta & Stephen Haroon, 2021. "Memorial Parking Trees: Resilient Modular Design with Nature-Based Solutions in Vulnerable Urban Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Rajendra Prasad Singh & Fei Zhao & Qian Ji & Jothivel Saravanan & Dafang Fu, 2019. "Design and Performance Characterization of Roadside Bioretention Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Elisa Lähde & Ambika Khadka & Outi Tahvonen & Teemu Kokkonen, 2019. "Can We Really Have It All?—Designing Multifunctionality with Sustainable Urban Drainage System Elements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-20, March.
    4. Rafał Blazy & Hanna Hrehorowicz-Gaber & Alicja Hrehorowicz-Nowak, 2021. "Adaptation of Post-Industrial Areas as Hydrological Windows to Improve the City’s Microclimate," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-20, July.

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