Sustainable urban drainage systems

Abstract

Changes in the hydrological processes within watersheds due to rapid urbanization along with climate change have been causing frequent pluvial floods in urban areas. Conventional stormwater drainage systems are unable to cope up with the situation. Therefore, latest practices rely on 'source control techniques', 'permeable conveyance systems' and 'end of pipe systems' for storm water management in urban areas. These measures are variously known as sustainable drainage systems in the United Kingdom, low impact development (LID) techniques in the US, water-sensitive urban designs in Australia, and sponge city approaches in China. In this chapter, we review various LID measures, status of their practice, and implementation challenges faced in India. We also outline further research needs in this area.