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INDUSTRY VIEWFINDER: DESIGN FOR SUDS
“Please rate the following as drivers for including green infrastructure in developments:” Very Important Moderately Important Not Very Important Not At All Important
specifying alongside natural methods. We also canvassed them on the challenges experienced in achieving SuDS projects that put landscape and amenity for users fi rst in schemes, and their views on whether leaving leadership on projects to engineers could endanger this. Lastly, we looked at the information sources they were using to specify SuDS schemes, and what they needed in terms of advice in achieving the accepted criteria of a strong ‘management train of interconnected features’ which make SuDS systems effective.
Introduction – Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) What is the SuDS approach?
The use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) is intended to control both fl ood and pollution risks from urban surface water run-off by managing rainwater as close to where it falls as possible. Systems attempt to mimic natural drainage processes and encourage infi ltration, attenuation (retaining water), and passive treatment, breaking down pollutants. SuDS should also provide natural habitats, improve biodiversity and create recreational areas, as it also helps local authorities, planners, architects and developers deliver greener infrastructure in projects.
The elements available that can be chosen for a SuDS system are summarised by industry website
Susdrain.org as including some or all of the following: • Source control (green roofs, rainwater harvesting, permeable surfaces)
• Swales & channels • Filtration (strips, trenches and bioretention) • Infi ltration (soakaways/tanks, infi ltration basis, rain gardens) • Retention & detention • Wetlands • Inlets, outlets and controls (including vortex controls)
Both green and grey infrastructure can be integrated effectively, including with traditional stormwater infrastructure such as gutters, drains, pipes, and retention basins. However, employing the right
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
The use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) is intended to control both fl ood and pollution risks from urban surface water run-off by managing rainwater as close to where it falls as possible
expertise is key in order to ensure this is done right for each site. And the role of architects, according to our research, is a prominent one in designing SuDS schemes. Among our 101 respondents, 69% had recently been involved in specifying ‘green stormwater management’ in projects, and 61% had been involved in specifying ‘engineered/proprietary SuDS.’ A further 53% said that they have recently specifi ed systems that were a hybrid of the two. The SuDS philosophy has four key ‘pillars,’ as outlined in the SuDS Manual published by CIRIA (the Construction Industry Research and Information Association): • Water quality; the quality of surface water runoff needs to be managed to prevent pollution
• Water quantity; supporting the management of fl ood risk, and maintaining and protecting the natural water cycle
• Amenity; creating and sustain better places for people • Biodiversity; creating and sustaining better places for wildlife.
SuDS come in various forms which control water runoff in different ways. Natural approaches include linear wetlands, swales and retention ponds, detention basins and vegetative fi ltration. Grey solutions include stormwater attenuation tanks. Our survey respondents ranked the ‘macro’ drivers for including green infrastructure in developments. As well as stormwater management, unsurprisingly the most important factor, pollution control was a strong second, with 93% saying it was a ‘very’ or ‘moderately’ important factor driving projects for their clients.
ADF MAY 2023
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