Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS)

Torrential rain events have become far more prevalent and must be managed by all modern cities. A traditional solution is to enlarge the capacity of the existing sewer system, but an alternative to this, known as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), has many benefits as well by managing surface water by reshaping urban and landscape terrains. Gottlieb Paludan Architects has expertise in both research and practice in terms of how these surface solutions can contribute to social and sensual qualities and support natural processes.

At Gottlieb Paludan Architects, we work on rainwater management in projects large and small. In every solution, pragmatic aspects merge with lyrical qualities in a shape that is incorporated into a sustainable context with nature and people. SUDS solutions can help mitigate the severity of the weather, so that it enhances urban spaces with changeable aesthetic qualities instead. Rainwater lakes, lush rainwater beds and trenches may be used recreationally when they are not filled with water and contribute to a sensual awareness of the weather and a changing climate. We also believe that it is crucial to gently incorporate solutions into existing urban environments and build on the inherent qualities already present.

We provide advice on SUDS solutions for urban communities – roads and outdoor areas in the immediate vicinity of residential developments and commercial properties. Our expertise includes the design and preservation of peri-urban, recreational landscapes and large landscape structures that can absorb rainwater from large runoff areas.

Gottlieb Paludan Architects was a partner in the industrial PhD project 'Room For Rain’ about developing rainwater solutions with the best technical, aesthetic and experience qualities. Our climate adaptation project Solrødgård Climate and Environmental Park was nominated for the 2019 Danish Landscape Architecture Award. We are currently involved with a range of cloudburst mitigation projects and participating in the national network ‘Water in Urban Areas — partnership for climate change adaptation and innovation’, which brings together institutions and organizations with specialist knowledge, public authorities and private players.