CAPACITY: Collaborative System Innovation for Shared Stormwater Retention Capacity in Existing Urban Areas
Facts
- Contact person:
- Peter Parker
- Financer:
-
- Vinnova Impact Innovation: Innovations that can transform systems – “Sustainable water for all by 2050”×
- Responsible at MaU:
- Peter Parker
- External project members:
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- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute AB (coordinator)
- AB Stockholmshem
- Sofielund Property Owners’ Association
- Länsförsäkringar AB
- Malmö City Council
- MKB Fastighets AB
- Svensk Försäkring
- Svenskt Vatten AB
- Trelleborg City Council
- Time frame:
- 01 June 2026 - 31 May 2029
- Faculty/department:
- Research environment :
- Research subject:
About the project
The project addresses rising urban flood risks in existing neighbourhoods caused by climate change, ageing drainage systems and extensive impervious surfaces. Responsibilities and financing for stormwater management are fragmented between municipalities, water utilities and property owners, which hinders investments in local retention where they create the greatest joint benefit.
The goal is to co-develop and test an incentive-based, area-based adaptation model in which retention capacity in pipes and on plots is treated as a shared resource.
The solution has three integrated components:
- a policy and incentive lab that combines, for example, differentiated stormwater fees, area funds, co-financing models and insurance incentives;
- area-based sustainability assessments that quantify risks, damage costs, climate impact and co-benefits of different measures;
- and a municipal climate adaptation dialogue concept targeting property owners.
The model is tested in selected sub-catchments in Malmö, Trelleborg and Stockholm and is packaged into a toolbox with policy packages, decision support and contract templates. The project advances Water Wise Societies’ mission on resilient water systems by creating a scalable transition model from risk maps to implemented measures in existing cities.