Floodplains as greenbelts in urban areas

Abstract

The aim of this article is to study the effect of human interference in the flood­plain ecosystem within urban areas. To achieve this aim a summary is given of the importance of urban greenbelts, eco­system dynamics, as well as certain drainage basin characteristics. The mis­use of floodplains for urban develop­ment (e.g. stream channel canalization, road building and the erection of build­ings), and the influence of such actions on floodplains (e.g. higher flood peaks and' accelerated erosion), leads to the conclusion that these areas should be seen as a natural assei, to an urban com­munity, rather than a dispensable waste­land to be used for urban expansion. The second conclusion reached is that to maintain artificial greenbelts in urban areas, the increasing cost in human ener­gy inputs alone, justifies the conserva­tion of floodplains as natural greenbelts within the urban environment.