Dokumenttyp: Abschlussarbeit/Doktorarbeit/Habilitationsschrift
Art der Abschlussarbeit: Dissertation
Titel: Water Sensitive Urban Design in Hot Dry Climates: A Framework and Transition Strategy for the MENA Region – A Case Study of Alexandria, Egypt
Autor*in: Moursy, Mahmoud 
Erscheinungsdatum: 22-Jan-2025
Freie Schlagwörter: Climate Adaptation; Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD); Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM); Urban Resilience; Arid Built environment; Blue-Green Urban Development; Green Infrastructure; Hot Dry Climates; MENA Region; Urban Flooding; Urban Cooling; Urban Green Areas
Zusammenfassung: 
This dissertation addresses the critical challenges of urban resilience in the hot, dry climate of the MENA region, particularly in view of escalating climate change and urbanization pressures. Global changes in aridity and precipitation patterns are not only affecting water availability but also increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. These compounded issues of drought, heatwaves, and severe yet sporadic flooding are exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure that struggles to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Such environmental dynamics underscore the urgent need for a paradigm shift towards adopting Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) in these settings to mitigate the adverse impacts of these extremes and achieve equilibrium. However, most of the research and practice in WSUD has predominantly focused on humid regions, with limited coverage in dry regions. Given that WSUD strategies and technologies cannot be directly transferred between differing regions and climates without adjustment, this dissertation aims to bridge this knowledge gap by developing and empirically testing a novel spatial framework for adopting WSUD practices tailored to the unique urban context of the dry MENA region. The framework will provide decision-makers and practitioners with methods and tools to integrate water management practices into urban development processes.
This dissertation employs an inductive analysis approach to provide the foundational knowledge for developing the framework’s concepts and strategies. Initially, it examines the peculiarities of the dry built environment, identifying common urban morphological patterns and hydrological characteristics. The research reveals a significant interplay between urban physical features and urban drainage, which profoundly influences urban flooding in the region. This relationship is central to developing an innovative WSUD planning approach that manages urban areas as discrete urban hydrological regions, referred to as micro-basins and barriers. In parallel, the dissertation focuses on the best practices reference case of Adelaide City in South Australia, drawing lessons and valuable insights for transferring their experience to another dry region. These insights, considering the contrasting urban context, inform a set of principles and criteria that guide the adoption of WSUD strategies. The findings indicate that all WSUD technologies can be adapted to dry climates, each to a different extent. The investigation identifies specific design adjustments and suggests that the most effective strategy involves using these technologies collaboratively to optimize performance. Additionally, the developed framework features a conceptual data management model that integrates these components into a comprehensive decision support system. The framework is then employed in an empirical investigation of how adopting WSUD principles and strategies in Alexandria City can enhance local urban resilience against extremes. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with experts, direct observations, and analysis, while secondary data included a detailed review of available literature and documents.
The key findings confirm the applicability of the introduced WSUD planning approach to the city's typical urban context, underscoring the benefits of a multi-layered urban spatial analysis. This analysis produces critical urban metrics that inform WSUD implementation, decision-making, and policy formulation. However, enhancements in the quality and accessibility of these metrics are necessary. The research also demonstrates the potential of linear infrastructures such as railroad tracks and major roads in managing and reusing stormwater and greywater. Urban development proposals recommend maintaining a threshold ratio of green spaces to enhance the effectiveness of WSUD applications.
The city's dense and varied urban setting necessitates a strategic approach to land and technology utilization. Maximizing land use efficiency by leveraging multifunctional spaces and pursuing infill development is essential. Therefore, micro-basin-based land use planning is vital for integrating WSUD by allowing for localized water management solutions tailored to specific parts of the city. Flexibility and scalability in WSUD technologies are also important, demanding adaptable solutions that can be applied at various urban scales. An optimal combination of WSUD technologies is necessary to achieve the planned goals effectively. Furthermore, the research highlights the importance of green spaces and vegetated systems in WSUD strategies. It demonstrates the transformative potential of integrating green spaces within urban environments, challenging conventional views on their feasibility in dry climates.
This dissertation contributes to the field of urban water management and climate adaptation by showcasing the potential of WSUD in mitigating climate change impacts in hot, dry regions. It provides a methodological foundation and actionable insights for applying WSUD broadly in similar urban settings globally. The research underscores the necessity for context-specific adaptations in urban water strategies and highlights the urgent need for broader adoption to protect urban areas from escalating climate challenges.
Sachgruppe (DDC): 710: Landschaftsgestaltung, Raumplanung
HCU-Fachgebiet / Studiengang: Environmentally Sound Urban and Infrastructure Planning 
Akademische Betreuer*in: Dickhaut, Wolfgang 
Zweitbetreuer*in: M. Ayad, Hany 
DOI (Zitierlink): 10.34712/142.64
URN (Zitierlink): urn:nbn:de:gbv:1373-repos-13912
Direktlink: https://repos.hcu-hamburg.de/handle/hcu/1086
Sprache: Englisch
Creative-Commons-Lizenz: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
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