Impacts of Urban Development and Climate Change on Runoff

Currently, the impact of urban development and the growth of impervious surfaces on the increase in runoff(1) are not considered fundamental principles in urban planning. A cumulatively high runoff in a very brief time interval could result in the loss of the central sewage system's transport ability and, consequently, in the discharge of rain water (as well as wastewater in the event that there is a combined system for both) and the flooding of urban areas. Moreover, climate change is an international environmental issue and urban development experts should report to it on a mandatory basis in undertaking their activities. The causality relationship between these two components: urban development, climate change and the increase in runoff has been demonstrated in the case study made for the Tineretului Neighborhood in Bucharest, the results of which are provided in this article.