• Lulea logo

Urban Stormwater Management in a Changing Climate

Learn how a green stormwater infrastructure can help reduce a city’s vulnerability to flooding in the face of the climate crisis.

383 enrolled on this course

A modern city with green stormwater management solutions and happy people

Urban Stormwater Management in a Changing Climate

383 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Discover how urbanisation affects the natural cycle of water

Urbanisation reduces infiltration into the soil and instead, removes water through pipe networks and along the surface. This affects the natural cycle of water and makes cities more vulnerable to flooding. It also fails to use the opportunities for water in cities to provide cooling, promote biodiversity, and offer amenity values.

These issues are especially important as ongoing and future climate changes may lead to more intense rainfall, longer dry periods, and increased temperatures.

On this three-week course, you’ll explore how these issues can be addressed using a green stormwater infrastructure to protect cities, its inhabitants, and the planet.

Explore stormwater control measures including green roofs

The course covers different types of stormwater control measures such as green roofs, detention ponds, swales, and infiltration facilities.

You’ll explore their typical design, what the strong points and limitations are, and how they can be implemented in urban areas.

Understand the use of flood mapping

Next, you’ll examine the relationship between stormwater and urban planning.

You’ll explore what makes an area vulnerable to flooding as you delve into flood mapping and discuss whether all parts of a city should be equally protected against flooding.

With this knowledge, you’ll be able to explore the additional benefits of green stormwater infrastructure.

Learn from the experts at Luleå University of Technology

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by the specialists at Luleå University of Technology. With their expertise, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to clearly communicate the benefits and importance of urban stormwater management in a changing climate.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 24 seconds The changing climate has an impact on many aspects of our daily life. How does the increase in extreme weather affect us– –and what risks are we facing? How can we predict and plan for different rainfall scenarios– –and how do we tackle current and future problems? In this course from Luleå University of Technology– –you will get an introduction to stormwater management in an urban environment. With guidance from three educators at the university– –you will explore and gain knowledge in different ways of measuring rain– –the new greener solutions to waterfall related issues– –and how flooding vulnerability affects us. The course consists of pedagogically structured steps– –where you will find video lectures– –alongside explanatory animations, illustrations and exercises.

Skip to 1 minute and 17 seconds Join us today, for a smarter future.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    The Urban Water Cycle and Rainfall

    • Course introduction

      This activity presents an overview of the course along with its content and the teachers behind it. You will also get introduced to the learning community present throughout the course.

    • The urban water cycle

      This activity examines how urbanization affects the natural water cycle.

    • What rainfall do we design for?

      This activity looks at designing for rainfall and climate change.

  • Week 2

    Stormwater Control Measures

    • From pipe-based to green urban drainage

      This activity looks at the limitations of pipe-based systems and new green solutions.

    • Stormwater control measures

      This activity presents different types of stormwater control measures.

    • Choosing/comparing stormwater control measures

      This activity presents various examples of stormwater control measures and discusses their different advantages and uses.

  • Week 3

    Stormwater, Flooding and Urban Planning

    • Flooding vulnerability

      This activity introduces the week and looks at urban functions and flood risk.

    • Integrating stormwater into urban planning

      This activity presents examples of different types of flooding and the technique of flood mapping. It also contains some further information of benefits of green stormwater infrastructure.

    • Wrapping up the course

      This activity summarizes the course and provides tips on further reading. This is also where the final test is found and where you get a chance to give feedback on what you thought about the course.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain how urbanization affects the pathways of water.
  • Describe the effects of climate change on rainfall patterns and the urban hydrologic cycle.
  • Compare and describe different stormwater control measures.
  • Explain the contribution of stormwater control measure to urban climate adaptation.
  • Reflect on the improtance of stormwater in the urban planning process.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for those who haven’t worked with stormwater management and climate adaptation before but you either encounter these issues in your work or you have a general interest in climate change.

You could be a professional in urban planning or property development, or a student with an interest in climate-related challenges.

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

Luleå University of Technology

The Luleå University of Technology mission is to shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results. Located in the arctic region, the university creates global societal benefit.

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$54/one-off payment

$39.99

For your first month. Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 3 Jan 2025

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Tests to check your learningticktickcross
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$39.99

For your first month. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 3 Jan 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...