New research offers practical insights for SuDS+

New research: Do Urban Nature-Based Water Solutions Deliver All Their Benefits?
We are pleased to share a new research publication, co-authored by SuDS+ team member Eleanor Starkey (Northumbria University), which takes a fresh look at whether and how water-related nature-based solutions (NbS), such as Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), are being assessed for the full range of benefits in towns and cities.
In the context of SuDS, nature-based solutions use natural processes, such as rain gardens, wetlands, swales and permeable surfaces, to help manage rainfall, reduce flooding and improve water quality while also creating green spaces for people and wildlife. These are the kinds of systems at the heart of the SuDS+ approach, which works with communities to design and implement drainage that does much more than just solve flooding.

The new review, published in Sustainability Nexus Forum (December 2025), looked at 111 scientific studies to see whether previous or current assessment methods capture all of the multiple benefits (similar to our ‘+’) these solutions can offer, from water management and biodiversity to social wellbeing and climate resilience.
Key takeaway messages:
• Most current evaluations focus on a limited set of benefits, often emphasising technical water outcomes like flood reduction.
• Few studies fully account for wider impacts such as community value, biodiversity, economic gains or wellbeing
• The authors highlight the value of citizen and stakeholder involvement to help capture a broader range of outcomes, just like our co-design and community engagement activities in SuDS+.
This research underscores the importance of looking beyond single outcomes when assessing nature-based water solutions, ensuring we recognise and value the full suite of benefits they can bring to urban places.
Read the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00550-025-00581-1