Urban Geology

Urban subsurface resources and particularly urban groundwater are vulnerable to environmental impacts, and their rational management is of major importance. In this book a multidisciplinary team of specialists and scientists presents innovative process-oriented approaches to the sustainable use of these resources. The included case studies from northwestern Switzerland describe representative environments and are relevant for urban areas in general. They illustrate the protection of groundwater; river restoration; engineering and hydrogeological questions related to urban infrastructure and management concepts; as well as monitoring, modeling and remediation strategies for contaminated sites; problems caused by karst in urban environments; the use of shallow geothermal energy; and natural hazards such as flood events and earthquakes.

It is demonstrated that modern quantitative earth sciences can contribute significantly in finding solutions concerning the sustainable use of subsurface resources in urban environments.

The book is an invaluable source of information for hydrogeologists, geologists, urban planners, water supply engineers, and environmental agencies.

• geology
• hydrogeology
• sustainable development
• urban planning
• urban resources
• water supply
• landscape/regional and urban planning

From the reviews:

“Urban Geology … is an important addition to the growing applied science of urban hydrogeology and engineering geology. … the results emanating from practical and research projects undertaken for the city of Basel by 18 contributors, largely from academic institutes, over a period of years, have been very successfully integrated into a rewarding perspective of urban geology. Well done! … an excellent reference for both students and practising geologists, hydrogeologists, ecologists, water engineers and town planners to consult in their endeavours … .” (Yongxin Xu, Hydrogeology Journal, May, 2012)

“The book, Urban Geology, gives a consolidated view of process-oriented concepts for adaptive and integrated resource management of urban environments. It is internally very well organized and places the scientific questions, methods, concepts and case studies in a multilateral relationship. … The process-oriented concepts for adaptive and integrated resource management introduced here describe a promising way of application. Due to the broad and system oriented scientific approach of Urban Geology, the book is recommended to professionals and practitioners.” (Peter Wycisk, Environmental Earth Sciences, June, 2012)

• Department of Geosciences, Geological Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

  Peter Huggenberger, Jannis Epting

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