Impact of Different Building Roof Types on Hydrological Processes at the Urban Community Scale

As urbanization accelerates and urban hydrological cycles evolve, roof typology emerges as a pivotal role in water retention capacity and drainage efficiency. To systematically evaluate the influence of various roof types on urban hydrological processes, this study designed four distinct catchment s...

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Main Authors: Chaohui Chen, Hao Hou, Yongguo Shi, Ping Zhao, Yao Li, Yong Wang, Yindong Zhang, Tangao Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Hydrology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/6/154
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author Chaohui Chen
Hao Hou
Yongguo Shi
Ping Zhao
Yao Li
Yong Wang
Yindong Zhang
Tangao Hu
author_facet Chaohui Chen
Hao Hou
Yongguo Shi
Ping Zhao
Yao Li
Yong Wang
Yindong Zhang
Tangao Hu
author_sort Chaohui Chen
collection DOAJ
description As urbanization accelerates and urban hydrological cycles evolve, roof typology emerges as a pivotal role in water retention capacity and drainage efficiency. To systematically evaluate the influence of various roof types on urban hydrological processes, this study designed four distinct catchment scenarios: Thiessen Polygon Scenarios (TS), Roof Type Consideration Scenarios (RS), Full Flat-Roof Scenarios (FS), and Full Pitched-Roof Scenarios (PS). This study employed the Urban Flood Intelligent Model (UFIM) to simulate urban flooding scenarios, utilizing precipitation data from 21 August 2024 combined with four distinct return periods (1a, 5a, 10a, and 20a) as hydrological inputs. The results show that roof types significantly affected hydrological processes in urban communities. Flat roofs accumulate water and drain slowly, making it easy to form larger areas of accumulated water during peak rainfall periods, thereby increasing the risk of urban flooding. Pitched roofs drain quickly but experience a brief rise in water level during peak hours due to rapid drainage. Based on these insights, priority should be given to the use of sloped roof design in areas prone to accumulated water to accelerate drainage. In areas requiring runoff mitigation, the strategic integration of flat roofs with green roofs enhances rainwater retention capacity, thereby optimizing urban hydrological regulation and bolstering flood resilience.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2306-5338
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
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record_format Article
series Hydrology
spelling doaj-art-407f51e9f185485daa3be0b1de5b975b2025-08-20T02:20:57ZengMDPI AGHydrology2306-53382025-06-0112615410.3390/hydrology12060154Impact of Different Building Roof Types on Hydrological Processes at the Urban Community ScaleChaohui Chen0Hao Hou1Yongguo Shi2Ping Zhao3Yao Li4Yong Wang5Yindong Zhang6Tangao Hu7Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Wetland Intelligent Monitoring and Ecological Restoration, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, ChinaZhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Wetland Intelligent Monitoring and Ecological Restoration, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, ChinaZhejiang Academy of Emergency Management Science, Hangzhou 310061, ChinaZhejiang Urban and Rural Planning and Design Research Institute, Hangzhou 310007, ChinaFaculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The NetherlandsZhejiang Urban and Rural Planning and Design Research Institute, Hangzhou 310007, ChinaZhejiang Academy of Emergency Management Science, Hangzhou 310061, ChinaZhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Wetland Intelligent Monitoring and Ecological Restoration, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, ChinaAs urbanization accelerates and urban hydrological cycles evolve, roof typology emerges as a pivotal role in water retention capacity and drainage efficiency. To systematically evaluate the influence of various roof types on urban hydrological processes, this study designed four distinct catchment scenarios: Thiessen Polygon Scenarios (TS), Roof Type Consideration Scenarios (RS), Full Flat-Roof Scenarios (FS), and Full Pitched-Roof Scenarios (PS). This study employed the Urban Flood Intelligent Model (UFIM) to simulate urban flooding scenarios, utilizing precipitation data from 21 August 2024 combined with four distinct return periods (1a, 5a, 10a, and 20a) as hydrological inputs. The results show that roof types significantly affected hydrological processes in urban communities. Flat roofs accumulate water and drain slowly, making it easy to form larger areas of accumulated water during peak rainfall periods, thereby increasing the risk of urban flooding. Pitched roofs drain quickly but experience a brief rise in water level during peak hours due to rapid drainage. Based on these insights, priority should be given to the use of sloped roof design in areas prone to accumulated water to accelerate drainage. In areas requiring runoff mitigation, the strategic integration of flat roofs with green roofs enhances rainwater retention capacity, thereby optimizing urban hydrological regulation and bolstering flood resilience.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/6/154urban hydrologystormwater runoffdrainage systemroof typeUFIM
spellingShingle Chaohui Chen
Hao Hou
Yongguo Shi
Ping Zhao
Yao Li
Yong Wang
Yindong Zhang
Tangao Hu
Impact of Different Building Roof Types on Hydrological Processes at the Urban Community Scale
Hydrology
urban hydrology
stormwater runoff
drainage system
roof type
UFIM
title Impact of Different Building Roof Types on Hydrological Processes at the Urban Community Scale
title_full Impact of Different Building Roof Types on Hydrological Processes at the Urban Community Scale
title_fullStr Impact of Different Building Roof Types on Hydrological Processes at the Urban Community Scale
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Different Building Roof Types on Hydrological Processes at the Urban Community Scale
title_short Impact of Different Building Roof Types on Hydrological Processes at the Urban Community Scale
title_sort impact of different building roof types on hydrological processes at the urban community scale
topic urban hydrology
stormwater runoff
drainage system
roof type
UFIM
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/6/154
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AT pingzhao impactofdifferentbuildingrooftypesonhydrologicalprocessesattheurbancommunityscale
AT yaoli impactofdifferentbuildingrooftypesonhydrologicalprocessesattheurbancommunityscale
AT yongwang impactofdifferentbuildingrooftypesonhydrologicalprocessesattheurbancommunityscale
AT yindongzhang impactofdifferentbuildingrooftypesonhydrologicalprocessesattheurbancommunityscale
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