Sustainable Drainage schemes or SuDS!

Image

I am not convinced by the acronym SuDS (it all sounds a bit too much like soapy bathwater to me!) but the thought processes behind this sustainable approach to urban drainage are  commendable.

Vegetated swale to capture drainage water Image ASLA

What is SuDs?  SuDS is an environmentally sound way of stormwater management which avoids the problems associated with conventional drainage practice. Conventional drainage exacerbates flooding, causes pollution and is generally more expensive to install and to maintain than Sustainable Drainage Schemes.

Permeable paving as part of a SuDs Image

 Sustainable Drainage schemes do not contribute to flooding, they encourage wildlife and provide visually attractive and educational amenities in the form of wetland habitat, which is increasingly under threat.

Intereting topic so hope to post more soon... In the meantime, Irish landscape architects should note the following: On the 8th and 9th February 2012, the Irish Landscape Institute is running an intensive course that will cover the background, principles and maintenance of SuDS systems.  This will include a site visit on day 2 on retrofitting SuDS on unfinished developments in the Dublin North Fringe area. A workshop to develop practical approaches to assessing design options will follow. Course outcomes will be relevant to the development of Local Area Plans and site resolution plans. The course will be of interest to landscape architects, engineers, architects, planners, environmental consultants.

Who is lecturering: Bob Bray, Robert Bray Associates (UK).  Bob is a Landscape Architect with his own private practice, who since 1996 has been prominent in the design, management and promotion of SuDS for a diverse range of developments. He has previously provided SuDS training for CIRIA in the UK and Ireland and for Landscape Architects throughout the UK. He is currently providing training for the newly-published UK SuDS standards.

Course cost: Early Registration received by 31st January 2012: €220 for members of ILI and Urban Forum, €275 for non-members.  Registration after 31st January 2012: €270 for members of ILI and Urban Forum,  €350 for non-members. Unwaged & student members’ rate: €70 (limited places available).  Costs includes: Lunch, tea/coffee, parking, all course materials and CPD certificate for 12 structured hours.