Exploring Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) in London

As landscape professionals, we see tremendous potential in working with local authorities to enhance urban climate resilience through the implementation and retrofitting of SuDS schemes. We look forward to seeing more of these innovative projects emerge in our towns and cities.

Our team have been exploring London’s urban drainage schemes recently in a walking tour of best practice in the city.  Our colleague Kate Stewart reflects on the day and tells us more…

“I recently participated in a guided walking tour of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) across London, led by Kevin Barton FLI. This tour was an opportunity to look in detail at fantastic projects in London where SuDS play a critical role in advancing our journey towards a more sustainable future.

One particularly inspiring example was the Community RainPark in Bridget Joyce Square, where SuDS have been integrated into playful, immersive designs. Children explore jungle-like vegetation along the ‘wiggly wall,’ fostering curiosity about the natural world.”

Key benefits of SuDS include slowing rainwater runoff, preventing grey infrastructure from becoming overwhelmed, and providing natural irrigation for planting. They also contribute to cooling urban areas, softening the visual impact of built environments, and filtering pollutants such as microplastics, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals from busy roads.