Lifecycle sustainability assessment for the comparison of traditional and sustainable drainage systems

Abstract

Urban drainage is a topic of increasing interest due to its key role for managing water-related disasters, which are being exacerbated by the effects of Climate Change and urbanization. Since traditional drainage systems struggle to deal with the combined action of these phenomena, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are gaining attention as an alternative to help manage these high-water management demands. In this context, this research aimed at conducting a lifecycle sustainability assessment for comparing the economic, environmental and social performance of both drainage systems. The three dimensions of sustainable development were addressed with the support of the concepts of Net Present Value (NPV), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and a combination of the Leopold matrix and a semi structured interview, respectively. The results of applying this approach to the case study of the Rancho Bellavista housing development (Querétaro, Mexico) showed that SuDS outperformed traditional drainage systems in environmental and social terms; however, their high maintenance costs and shorter life expectancy hindered its economic feasibility. As such, future urban plans should focus on complementary designs whereby the strengths of both drainage alternatives are combined to boost their contributions to achieving sustainable development.

Keywords: Life cycle assessment; Sustainability; Sustainable drainage systems; Traditional drainage systems; Urban planning.