A planning framework for sustainable urban drainage systems

Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) call for collaborative and interdisciplinary practices. The problem with this is the social and technical complexities involved, and the absence of a shared understanding of the challenge and the scope of integrated solutions. It is necessary to clarify the contributions and interactions between disciplines in order to achieve integrated planning and design of SUDS. This paper reviews the literature across disciplinary fields and outlines key messages and uncertainties within each discipline. The outcome is a framework comprising time, space and human values, as well as biophysical processes (e.g. engineering), spatial strategies (e.g. urban design) and adaptive strategies (e.g. management). It identifies the planning of SUDS as a collective learning process with continuous iterations between disciplines, while also reflecting the past, present and future of a specific site.