Doing the first loop of planning for sustainable urban drainage system retrofits: A case study from Odense, Denmark

Abstract

The planning and implementation of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) requires intensive collaboration between professions and institutions. To improve the conditions for such practice in Denmark, the first loop of a SUDS-based retrofitting project was completed in Odense over a 6-month period. The project involved officials from the City of Odense and Odense Water Ltd., as well as university researchers. Studies of hydrological, environmental and socio-cultural aspects were developed by disciplinary teams and used to draft integrated solutions for two selected city districts. Albeit sewer surcharge was the initial catalyst, the main driver for the drafted solutions was urban planning. An assessment of the impact 1.5 years after completion indicated that the employed approach is valuable. In Odense, a planning procedure reflecting the loop process has become new practice. The project represents a key reference for the introduction of SUDS in Denmark.

Keywords:

• SUDS
• organisational development
• uncertainty
• CSO
• hydrology
• urban water

Acknowledgements

The Danish Council for Strategic Research is acknowledged for supporting the project financially. Three anonymous reviewers are thanked for their valuable suggestions for improving the manuscript. The following project participants are also thanked for their contribution to this paper: Allan Bruus, Annette Brink-Kjær, Antje Backhaus, Birgitte Olsen, Carsten Henriksen, Hans Christian Holten Lützhøft, Henning Mikkelsen, Ib Doktor, Jan Hald Kjeldsen, Johan Linderberg, Lise Havsteen, Liselotte Jensen, Niels Krogh Kristensen, Peter Steen Mikkelsen, Philip Binning, Richard Jensen, Steen Christensen, Stephan Pauleit, Sten Frandsen and Torben Dam.