SuDS & Sponge Cities: A Comparative Analysis of the Implementation of Pluvial Flood Management in the UK and China

Abstract

In recent decades, rapid urbanization has resulted in a growing urban population, transformed into regions of exceptional socio-economic value. By removing vegetation and soil, grading the land surface and saturating soil air content, urban developments are more likely to be flooded, which will be further exacerbated by an anticipated increase in the number of intense rainfall events, due to climate change. To date, data collected show that urban pluvial flood events are on the rise for both the UK and China. This paper presents a critical review of existing sustainable approaches to urban flood management, by comparing UK practice with that in China and critically assessing whether lessons can be learnt from the Sponge City initiative. The authors have identified a strategic research plan to ensure that the sponge city initiative can successfully respond to extreme climatic events and tackle pluvial flooding. Hence, this review suggests that future research should focus on (1) the development of a more localized rainfall model for the Chinese climate; (2) the role of retrofit SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) in challenging water environments; (3) the development of a robust SuDS selection tool, ensuring that the most effective devices are installed, based on local factors; and (4) dissemination of current information, and increased understanding of maintenance and whole life-costing, alongside monitoring the success of sponge cities to increase the confidence of decision makers (5) the community engagement and education about sponge cities.

The blue-green path to urban flood resilience

“…Alongside continuing investment in traditional grey infrastructure (e.g. flood walls, barriers, lined drainage channels, underground pipes and detention tanks), many cities are transitioning from solely flood defence to greater water resilience by implementing approaches centred on, for example, water sensitive urban design (Sharma et al 2016), sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) (Lashford et al 2019), green infrastructure (Trogrlićet al 2018) and 'Sponge Cities' (Zevenbergen et al 2018). These approaches are subtly different but all embody the concept of a 'Blue-Green City', where integrated water management and green infrastructure work in concert to recreate a naturally oriented water cycle to help manage flood risk while delivering multiple benefits to the environment, society and economy (Lawson et al 2014).…”

Land-Use and Legislation-Based Methodology for the Implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems in the Semi-Arid Region of Brazil

“…This choice represents good possibilities to enhance current legislation and change guidelines for the future [26]. Developed countries, such as UK, use this strategy for SuDS installation [66]. This finding is even more important due to the lack of clear guidance in the city and the current master plan review in process in Campina Grande.…”

“…The efficiency of SuDS is substantially affected by their quantity, dimensions, properties, and adequate maintenance. These infrastructures are discussed as a method for flooding control, but this study highlights the importance of applying it along with land use management, governance, and climate considerations [66], acting as a long-term urban planning strategy. Further studies should take into consideration the optimal site location of measures, quantity, and dimensions along with runoff reductions in the total area to make a better decision.…”

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Analyzing Questions of Justice Issues in Urban Greenspace

“…It is also challenging to maintain greenspace because the responsibility to do so is often times not clearly defined. For this reason, in the UK, the long-term responsibility of maintenance of green infrastructure projects is sometimes passed to a third party, which can be a private company, a water company, or a local authority [59]. In China, funding for green infrastructure and its maintenance in sponge cities has been possible through public-private partnerships [59].…”

“…For this reason, in the UK, the long-term responsibility of maintenance of green infrastructure projects is sometimes passed to a third party, which can be a private company, a water company, or a local authority [59]. In China, funding for green infrastructure and its maintenance in sponge cities has been possible through public-private partnerships [59]. To ensure continuous maintenance, greening initiatives must include some type of funding mechanism and a clear assignation of responsibilities to organisms that persist in spite of changes in administration.…”