TAGRA 2025

The rapid population growth in urban areas, increasing construction, and the rise in flood events due to climate change are altering the quality and quantity of water resources. Therefore, rainwater management in cities has become a multi-dimensional planning and resilience issue. The increasing fragility of water resources in cities further complicates urban rainwater management. Nature-based solutions contribute to the urban water cycle by reducing surface runoff, lowering flood risk, and managing rainwater in situ. The aim of this study is to examine nature-based solutions used to increase the resilience of cities against extreme rainfall caused by climate change and to reveal the environmental, social, and economic benefits these solutions will provide. In this context, the effects of nature-based solutions such as rainwater harvesting, green infrastructure systems, permeable surfaces, bio-swales, rain gardens, and urban wetlands on the water cycle have been examined using the literature, and successful national and international applications have been compared and evaluated. When the findings are evaluated, it is seen that nature-based practices reduce flood risk, improve water quality, contribute to climate adaptation, and increase the long-term resilience of cities, thus offering a holistic solution. Therefore, by widespread adoption of urban green infrastructure systems, water is retained at its source. Consequently, to increase urban resilience to water management in cities, it is necessary to rapidly implement green infrastructure systems. For successful implementation, local governments must develop mandatory strategic plans, include them in infrastructure investments, and address spatial planning, landscape design, and climate adaptation policies with an integrated approach. Urban water management is not only a matter for landscape architecture but also a strategic planning tool that should be considered multidisciplinarily, involving various professional disciplines.