Managing Shifting Precipitation Regimes: Sustainable Stormwater Management at University of British Columbia

In response to growing concerns about climate change, recent studies have investigated the climate change impact on shifting precipitation and storm events. In this work, we expand on this body of work through various analyses using the data from the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and UBC Abacus Data Network to understand the effects of shifting precipitation of climate change on green infrastructure management at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Point Grey campus in Vancouver, Canada. The study has important implications for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental managers, emphasizing the need for proactive planning and management strategies to mitigate potential risks from changing precipitation patterns. Results showed that there are increasing chances of storm events and the existing green infrastructure at UBC is not designed to handle large volumes of precipitation, leading to flooding and erosion issues with a small portion of permeable surfaces and green infrastructure, which highlights the need for sustainable stormwater management practices that take into account the unique characteristics of each location. Based on the findings, several recommendations can be made for UBC's green infrastructure planning and stormwater management, such as balancing permeable and impermeable surfaces, installing and upgrading green roofs and other green infrastructure, and recording and updating related climate data and performance.