Integration of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDSs) in Highway Projects in Small Island Developing States (SIDSs) for Improved Resilience to Flooding
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDSs) have recently emerged as an alternative to traditional drainage systems, offering better stormwater management and improved resilience in road infrastructure. However, their uptake is still slow in Small Island Developing States (SIDSs) such as Mauritius. The aim of this study was to understand the potential for integrating various SUDS in major road projects and identify existing barriers and potential enablers. Semi-structured interviews with 20 highway experts showed that for Mauritius, the most feasible solutions were swales, soakaways and infiltration trenches, due to their ease of implementation and lower costs. However, topography, soil infiltration and water table levels pose significant challenges. Other SUDS types, such as permeable paving areas, retention/detention ponds, infiltration basins and constructed wetlands were not considered favourably. Potential enablers identified included enhancing the local technical expertise on SUDS, developing adapted guidance documents and policies and the implementation of pilot projects as showcases for SUDS efficacy in managing stormwater. The study has contributed to identifying the most suitable SUDS components for implementation in road projects in Mauritius and pathways to increase their adoption.
Author: Zaheer Doomah
Institutions: Open University of Mauritius, University of Mauritius
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W7204868614