ABSTRACT Urban soils play a crucial role in regulating the hydrological cycle, particularly in flood management. This study investigates the morphological, physical, chemical, and hydrological properties of soils in Villa-Lobos Park, São Paulo (Brazil), to assess their potential for mitigating flood risks through the "sponge city" concept. The results indicate that the soils in this urban park exhibit characteristics typical of Technosols, with significant anthropogenic materials such as plastics, ceramics, rubber, and concrete influencing their properties. Despite the challenges posed by soil compaction and anthropogenic waste, the development of granular and blocky structures over about three decades has enhanced bulk density, total porosity, infiltration, permeability, and water retention in the studied soils. The data suggest that, when managed effectively, urban soils can significantly increase water infiltration rates and reduce surface runoff, contributing to flood mitigation. This research highlights the importance of the interplay between pedogenetic processes and management practices to optimize the hydrological functions of urban soils. The findings provide valuable insights for urban planning strategies that utilize urban soils as ecosystem service providers to enhance flood resilience in cities.
Costa et al. (Thu,) studied this question.