Accessibility and stormwater management

Important results from the project

The project has investigated social aspects of open stormwater solutions, focusing on accessibility. Based on a norm-critical approach, a methodology for further studies has developed. Collaborations with relevant private and public stakeholders are initiated and several project applications are under construction to deepen the study.

Expected long term effects

It was found that accessibility perspective is lacking in stormwater management. Requirements are rarely taken for consideration when designing open stormwater solutions. There is great potential for further development so that they generate social values such as increased accessibility and recreation for people regardless of functionality. This pre-study has raised the problem and generated a number of project ideas to work on, through design and product development, demo projects, tools and direction to municipalities about stormwater management from a social perspective.

Approach and implementation

Through literature studies, the project identified what "tillgänglighetsdesign" means in the context of climate adaptation and stormwater solutions. Requirements, recommendations, and strategies regarding accessibility and stormwater were analyzed. To create an understanding of how the perspectives interact today, stakeholders got interviewed. Case studies of places with open stormwater solutions were conducted. It was clear that it is a need for further studies based on a norm-critical approach, although a methodology must be adapted to the specific context.