Development of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS)
SUDS are drainage designs that slow down and filter rainwater naturally, rather than rushing it straight into pipes. They reduce urban flood risk by mimicking how water behaves in the natural environment.
Real World
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, London, incorporates green roofs, rain gardens, and permeable paving across 250 hectares, designed to hold 40,000 cubic metres of floodwater on-site during extreme rainfall events.
Exam Focus
For SUDS questions, name specific features (e.g. green roofs, swales, retention ponds) rather than describing SUDS generically — named examples earn application marks.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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