Sustainable management of water resources on campus: The case of Izmir Institute of Technology

Abstract

The concept of sustainability plays an essential role in university campus development. This study specifically focuses on sustainable water resources management among extensive sustainable campus principles. Water is a non-renewable asset for our increasingly arid geography due to reasons such as global warming. The sustainable management of water resources includes capture and reclamation of rainwater/stormwater, treatment of wastewater, protection and enhancement of groundwater quality, protection and rehabilitation of natural water bodies (creeks, streams, rivers, lakes and others) and efficient landscapes. Green infrastructure techniques prevent runoff problems due to conventional drainage such as flood and water quality degradation; and provide natural drainage and infiltration, improve water quality, prevent floods and enhance ground water. In thisstudy rainwater/stormwater is treated as a non-renewable resource instead of wastewater. This water resource can be captured and reused for different purposes such as irrigation, groundwater recharge, green corridors and landscape amenity by integration of rainwater/stormwater features into the site in an aesthetically pleasing way. Additionally, use of green infrastructure techniques reduces the consumption of clean water. This study develops strategies for use of green infrastructure techniques and recommendations to guide the implementation of these strategies. As a case study, recommendation of green infrastructure techniques with efficient landscape for entire Izmir Institute of Technology (IYTE) Campus located in Gülbahce-Urla (Izmir) has been developed.