Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems: Installing infrastructure that complements nature provides holistic improvements

摘要

Since the late 1950s, there has been a modest yet steady rise in urban land development in the U.S. Couple this trend with a decline in cropland and forest, and there's a crisis looming. The conversion of natural or agricultural areas to urban use is almost always irreversible. When not well managed, urbanization poses many threats to our societies: heat islands, unhealthy air and water, issues with waste disposal, high energy consumption, flooding, and urban runoff. Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) offer a solution - at least to some of these issues. As such, sustainable drainage systems are increasingly popular. In cities, suburbs, and industrial parks, SUDS work with - not against - the natural environment. From trench drain systems made of 100% recyclable materials to green roofs and permeable pavements, there is much to learn about installing sustainable drainage systems. They can help people to create residential or commercial developments that help the environment and clean the water.