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Sustainable Stormwater Management and Bioretention: An Overview of Reviews of the Last 10 Years

Author

Listed:
  • Livia Bonciarelli

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy)

  • Fabio Orlandi

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy)

  • Desirée Muscas

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy)

  • Marco Fornaciari

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy)

Abstract

Extreme rainfalls caused by climate change are a growing worldwide threat to the urban environment. Nature-based solutions (NBS) employ soil and vegetation to manage and treat stormwater while ensuring extensive ecosystem services. In the last decades, these solutions, such as Rain Gardens, Green Roofs, Vegetated Swales, and Constructed Wetlands, have been implemented worldwide under different names. This study is a systematic overview of reviews focusing on the last 10 years of sustainable stormwater management literature. First, a general bibliometric and topic analysis highlights trends and core themes addressed by the reviews. Then, the article delves into bioretention, analyzing water quantity and quality regulation as a function of design choices on media and vegetation. Including an internal water storage zone and using amendments such as biochar and water treatment residuals are relevant, sustainable features to target water pollution and hydrologic functioning. Vegetation, too, has a prominent role. Nevertheless, only the most recent reviews address the species’ selection, highlighting a significant research gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Livia Bonciarelli & Fabio Orlandi & Desirée Muscas & Marco Fornaciari, 2025. "Sustainable Stormwater Management and Bioretention: An Overview of Reviews of the Last 10 Years," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-28, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:4:p:736-:d:1623603
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniela Corduan & Norbert Kühn, 2024. "Planting for the Urban Rain—Vegetation in Urban Bioretention Systems for Stormwater Management under Temperate Climate Conditions—A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-37, October.
    2. Yang Wang & Hao Yin & Zhiruo Liu & Xinyu Wang, 2022. "A Systematic Review of the Scientific Literature on Pollutant Removal from Stormwater Runoff from Vacant Urban Lands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-19, October.
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