Urbans sustainable drainage systems (SUDS): an integral alternative for the rainwater management

Abstract

The efficient management of runoff has become a great important factor in the constant search for sustainable urban environments that equitably integrate the social, economic and ecological sphere; Although such management is commonly carried out through conventional drainage systems, these alternatives are increasingly far from fulfilling their objective, due to factors such as the waterproofing of soils and network extensions required for the use of such expansion areas, which generate increases in peak flows, exceeding those expected during the design of such systems, which leads to flooding due to the overflowing of structures; This added to climate change, the heat island effect and diffuse contamination, creates a great problematic and with it, the necessity to provide an effective solution, managing this resource in a different way, making use of non-conventional alternatives such as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), this with the purpose of reproducing the natural hydrological cycle, integrating the social, landscaping and environmental aspects of the intervened areas; In order to know in depth these systems, their advantages and disadvantages, a bibliographic search was carried out, with the aim of obtaining relevant information about the SUDS, the existing typologies and their implementation in multiple urban projects; It was found that its use dates back to communities such as the Roman and the Mayan empire, which, given the precariousness of water resources, found it necessary to create rainwater harvesting techniques for use in different activities. Over time, these methods have become technical, becoming symbols of sustainability and innovation at a national and international level in countries such as Spain, Australia and France.