A growing number of urban areas are experiencing devastating floods as cloudbursts, or extreme rainfall during short periods of time, increase with climate change—causing billions of dollars in damage and costing lives. Many cities’ infrastructure and landscapes are not equipped to manage the intense volumes of water associated with cloudbursts. Further, storm and sewer drains are slow, expensive, and disruptive to update for higher volumes, and channeling water out of landscapes misses opportunities to enhance cities with green infrastructure, biodiversity, and restorative recreational space for urban residents.

Some cities are adopting innovative strategies to boost their ability to handle cloudbursts by slowing the flow of water, storing water in floodable areas, and restoring natural ecosystems. In addition, municipalities are increasingly requiring or incentivizing these and other stormwater management strategies in real estate projects. This session will feature some of the best practices in cloudburst infrastructure and management as well as lessons learned from their implementation in urban areas.