The use of urban drainage systems in sustainable cities

Abstract

Sustainable urban drainage management is of great international importance as a useful tool for the environmental improvement of urban spaces, reducing flooding (increasingly severe and dangerous) and saving on operating costs and expansion of urban sanitation networks. In recent years, the use of ‘Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems’ or ‘SUDS’ has become widespread as a new management strategy for sustainable cities. However, there are many uncertainties about what the current SUDS results are, because of the lack of monitoring and control. This is the reason why companies that manage sanitation do not implement more SUDS as suitable solutions. This paper presents a case study developed in the city of Granada, Spain, where some types of SUDS (different permeable pavements) have been built and tested. Information from different episodes of rain and types of SUDS behaviour have been processed. The results show the effectiveness and applicability of these systems, helping to improve sustainability in the city.