Week 12 – SuDS with Steve Burton (Steintec)

• Overview

This week focused on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), delivered by Steve Burton from Steintec. The lecture explored how water can be managed sustainably in urban environments through permeable materials and integrated drainage strategies.

It highlighted how traditional drainage systems are being replaced by more sustainable approaches that reduce flooding and improve water quality.

• Key Learning

A key takeaway from this session is that SuDS aims to manage water at its source rather than simply removing it.

The lecture highlighted:

• Urbanisation increases surface run-off and flood risk

• Climate change leads to more intense rainfall events

• SuDS systems aim to:

  • Reduce run-off

  • Slow water flow

  • Improve water quality

  • Encourage infiltration

This shows that water should be treated as part of the landscape, not a problem to remove.

Permeable Pavements & SuDS

The session focused heavily on permeable paving as a key SuDS component.

A permeable pavement allows water to pass through joints into underlying layers, where it is stored or slowly released.

Key elements include:

• Permeable surface layer (stone, blocks, slabs)

• Bedding layer allowing infiltration

• Sub-base layers for storage and drainage

• Geotextile layers for filtration

There are also three main SuDS systems:

• System A – full infiltration

• System B – partial infiltration

• System C – no infiltration (attenuation only)

Environmental Benefits

The lecture showed that permeable pavements provide multiple environmental benefits:

• Reduce flood risk by slowing water movement

• Improve water quality by filtering pollutants

• Remove contaminants such as:

  • Sediments

  • Heavy metals

  • Hydrocarbons

This demonstrates that SuDS systems act as both drainage and filtration systems.

• Application to Design

This session is highly relevant to my Woolwich design, particularly in managing water across the site.

SuDS can be applied by:

• Using permeable paving in the market and pathways

• Directing water into drainage channels and planted areas

• Connecting surfaces to the pond as part of a wider water system

• Creating a visible water journey through the site

This links strongly to my design concept of making water movement visible and integrated.

• Reflection

This lecture reinforced the importance of designing with water as a key element of landscape architecture. SuDS provides a sustainable alternative to conventional drainage by integrating water management into the design itself.

It also highlighted that technical systems can enhance both the function and experience of a space.

Overall, this session has influenced my approach by encouraging the integration of water management strategies that are both sustainable and visually engaging.