Urbanization has brought numerous benefits, such as improved infrastructure, better

living standards, and increased economic activities. However, an unintended consequence of

urbanization is the creation of increasing usage of impervious surfaces that pose a threat to

the environment. These impervious surfaces, such as concrete and asphalt cover natural

surfaces leading to numerous negative effects such as increased runoff and flooding, soil

erosion, loss of biodiversity, and pollutants entering waterways. These environmental effects

have negatively impacted the present and future living conditions.

Runoff is the amount of water that flows (“outflows”) from a catchment over a period of

time. Urban runoff is surface runoff of stormwater created by urbanization. This runoff is a

major cause of flooding and water pollution in urban communities worldwide. During the

land development process, impervious surfaces like roads, parking lots, and sidewalks are

created. During storms and other precipitation events, these surfaces (made of materials such

as asphalt or concrete), along with the roof, carry dirty stormwater down the storm drain

rather than allowing the water to seep into the ground (citation 1).

Runoff hap

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

This study is anchored to the Theory of Porous Media.