IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i14p6325-d1698670.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Restoring Historical Watercourses to Cities: The Cases of Poznań, Milan, and Beijing

Author

Listed:
  • Wojciech Skórzewski

    (Faculty of Architecture, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland)

  • Ling Qi

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100021, China)

  • Mo Zhou

    (Faculty of Architecture, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland)

  • Agata Bonenberg

    (Faculty of Architecture, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland)

Abstract

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, combined with the historic degradation of urban water systems, has prompted cities worldwide to reconsider the role of water in urban planning. This study examines the restoration and integration of historical watercourses into contemporary urban environments through blue and green infrastructure (BGI). Focusing on three case study cities—Poznań (Poland), Milan (Italy), and Beijing (China)—this research explores both spatial and regulatory conditions for reintroducing surface water into cityscapes. Utilizing historical maps, contemporary land use data, and spatial planning documents, this study applies a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) to assess restoration potential. The selected case studies, including the redesign of Park Rataje in Poznań, canal daylighting projects in Milan, and the multifunctional design of Beijing’s Olympic Forest Park, illustrate diverse approaches to ecological revitalization. The findings emphasize that restoring or recreating urban water systems can enhance urban resilience, ecological connectivity, and the quality of public space.

Suggested Citation

  • Wojciech Skórzewski & Ling Qi & Mo Zhou & Agata Bonenberg, 2025. "Restoring Historical Watercourses to Cities: The Cases of Poznań, Milan, and Beijing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:14:p:6325-:d:1698670
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/14/6325/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/14/6325/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Agnieszka Ptak-Wojciechowska & Anna Januchta-Szostak & Agata Gawlak & Magda Matuszewska, 2021. "The Importance of Water and Climate-Related Aspects in the Quality of Urban Life Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-24, June.
    2. Mo Wang & Ji’an Zhuang & Chuanhao Sun & Lie Wang & Menghan Zhang & Chengliang Fan & Jianjun Li, 2024. "The Application of Rain Gardens in Urban Environments: A Bibliometric Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-23, October.
    3. Jonathan Prior, 2016. "Urban river design and aesthetics: a river restoration case study from the UK," Journal of Urban Design, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(4), pages 512-529, July.
    4. Xiaoqin Zhou & Zifu Li & Chad Staddon & Xuejun Wu & Han Song, 2017. "Issues and challenges of reclaimed water usage: a case study of the dragon-shaped river in the Beijing Olympic Park," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(4), pages 486-494, May.
    5. García Sánchez, Francisco & Govindarajulu, Dhanapal, 2023. "Integrating blue-green infrastructure in urban planning for climate adaptation: Lessons from Chennai and Kochi, India," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    6. Alexandros I. Stefanakis, 2019. "The Role of Constructed Wetlands as Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Urban Water Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-19, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Anne A. Gharaibeh & Esra’a M. Al.Zu’bi & Lama B. Abuhassan, 2019. "Amman ( City of Waters ); Policy, Land Use, and Character Changes," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-25, December.
    2. Mahsa Mesgar & Diego Ramirez-Lovering & Mohamed El-Sioufi, 2021. "Tension, Conflict, and Negotiability of Land for Infrastructure Retrofit Practices in Informal Settlements," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Katia Ghezali & Nourredine Bentahar & Narcis Barsan & Valentin Nedeff & Emilian Moșneguțu, 2022. "Potential of Canna indica in Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands for Heavy Metals and Nitrogen Removal from Algiers Refinery Wastewater," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-14, April.
    4. Kun Liu & Binrong Zhou & Zijie Yang & Yusheng Zhang & Dianyuan Ding, 2024. "Carbon Footprint Quantification and Reduction Potential of Ecological Revetment in Water Net Region of China: Case Study in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-20, August.
    5. Nash Jett D. G. Reyes & Franz Kevin F. Geronimo & Heidi B. Guerra & Lee-Hyung Kim, 2023. "Bibliometric Analysis and Comprehensive Review of Stormwater Treatment Wetlands: Global Research Trends and Existing Knowledge Gaps," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-23, January.
    6. Cristina S. C. Calheiros & Alexandros I. Stefanakis, 2021. "Green Roofs Towards Circular and Resilient Cities," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 395-411, June.
    7. José Ramos Pires Manso & Rosa M. Martínez Vázquez & Juan Milán García & Jaime de Pablo Valenciano, 2023. "Renewable Energies and Blue Economy: New Trends in Global Research," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-15, May.
    8. Anacleto Rizzo & Giulio Conte & Fabio Masi, 2021. "Adjusted Unit Value Transfer as a Tool for Raising Awareness on Ecosystem Services Provided by Constructed Wetlands for Water Pollution Control: An Italian Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    9. Lu Yang & Zhi Zhang & Weikang Zhang & Tong Zhang & Huan Meng & Hongwei Yan & Yue Shen & Zeqian Li & Xiaotian Ma, 2023. "Wetland Park Planning and Management Based on the Valuation of Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of the Tieling Lotus Lake National Wetland Park (LLNWP), China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-26, February.
    10. Shradhda Suman Jnawali & Matthew McBroom & Yanli Zhang & Kevin Stafford & Zhengyi Wang & David Creech & Zhongqian Cheng, 2025. "Effectiveness of Rain Gardens for Managing Non-Point Source Pollution from Urban Surface Storm Water Runoff in Eastern Texas, USA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-23, May.
    11. Ahmed M. N. Masoud & Marika Belotti & Amani Alfarra & Sabrina Sorlini, 2022. "Multi-Criteria Analysis for Evaluating Constructed Wetland as a Sustainable Sanitation Technology, Jordan Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-24, November.
    12. Yanqin Zhang & Xianli You & Shanjun Huang & Minhua Wang & Jianwen Dong, 2022. "Knowledge Atlas on the Relationship between Water Management and Constructed Wetlands—A Bibliometric Analysis Based on CiteSpace," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-28, July.
    13. Yi Ding & Xia Li & Di Wang & Jianming Xu & Yang Yu, 2023. "Study on Spatial and Temporal Differences of Water Resource Sustainable Development and Its Influencing Factors in the Yellow River Basin, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-20, September.
    14. Chengxiang Zhang & Li Wen & Yuyu Wang & Cunqi Liu & Yan Zhou & Guangchun Lei, 2020. "Can Constructed Wetlands be Wildlife Refuges? A Review of Their Potential Biodiversity Conservation Value," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-18, February.
    15. Marwa M. Waly & Slobodan B. Mickovski & Craig Thomson, 2023. "Application of Circular Economy in Oil and Gas Produced Water Treatment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, January.
    16. Adam R. Mason & Pepe Puchol‐Salort & Alfred Gathorne‐Hardy & Barbara Maria Smith & Rupert J. Myers, 2024. "Local terrestrial biodiversity impacts in life cycle assessment: A case study of sedum roofs in London, UK," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(3), pages 496-511, June.
    17. Jiajun Ma & Guohua Chen & Tao Zeng & Lixing Zhou & Jie Zhao & Yuanfei Zhao, 2023. "Methodology for Resilience Assessment of Oil Pipeline Network System Exposed to Earthquake," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-20, January.
    18. Joanna Boguniewicz-Zabłocka & Ewelina Łukasiewicz, 2025. "Blue–Green Infrastructure Effectiveness for Urban Stormwater Management: A Multi-Scale Residential Case Study," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, June.
    19. Kataki, S. & Chatterjee, S. & Vairale, M.G. & Sharma, S. & Dwivedi, S.K. & Gupta, D.K., 2021. "Constructed wetland, an eco-technology for wastewater treatment: A review on various aspects of microbial fuel cell integration, low temperature strategies and life cycle impact of the technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    20. Jan K. Kazak & Katarzyna Hodor & Magdalena Wilkosz-Mamcarczyk, 2021. "Natural Environment and Cultural Heritage in the City, a Sustainability Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-4, July.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:14:p:6325-:d:1698670. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.