Analyzing the first loop design process for large-scale sustainable urban drainage system retrofits in Copenhagen, Denmark

Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) receive much attention as a means to adapt urban environments to a changing climate. Yet little knowledge exists on how to adapt existing urban drainage systems by use of SUDS at the scale of entire sewer-sheds. This paper aims to assist landscape architects, engineers, and planners in the design of large-scale SUDS retrofits. It analyzes the first loop in an exemplary design process for SUDS retrofits in a 15 km(2) case-study area in Copenhagen, Denmark. A series of 'insights' and 'set backs' are revealed in the process and discussed in their importance for a successful design. The two most important aspects are identified as the need to develop context specific solutions and the utilization of underlying hydrological conditions as generator of urban form.