{"id":145515,"date":"2024-12-05T11:47:36","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T11:47:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greenblue.com\/?p=145515"},"modified":"2025-06-17T09:41:34","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T08:41:34","slug":"raingardens-suds-for-flood-prevention-and-community-wellbeing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greenblue.com\/gb\/raingardens-suds-for-flood-prevention-and-community-wellbeing\/","title":{"rendered":"Raingardens: SuDS for flood prevention and community wellbeing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Raingardens have been gaining a much higher profile, lately. They\u2019re not just talked about by local authorities, water companies and professionals working in relevant fields, but by the public, too, and especially by gardeners and garden designers. This sustainable method of stormwater management is now reaching a tipping point, where the driving factors for installation are as much about consumer interest in eco-friendly and aesthetic solutions to flood mitigation as they are about the big-picture plans of those responsible for urban and suburban infrastructure.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first raingarden<\/a> seen at the Chelsea Flower Show was designed by Nigel Dunnett, working with the\u202fLandscape Agency, all the way back in 2011 \u2013 but it\u2019s taken until 2024 for the concept to be more widely seen at the Show. This past summer, the Royal Horticultural Society identified raingardens as a gardening trend<\/a>, with several award-winning Chelsea gardens incorporating the principle in their design: the National Autistic Society, Water Aid and Flood Re all showcased spaces which were designed to help increase floodwater resilience while also providing beautiful outdoor areas for people to enjoy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But of course, Chelsea showcases the art of the horticulturally possible; while inspirational, the concepts are likely to need some revision in order to be successfully translated into real-world stormwater management<\/a> installations with real-world commercial considerations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even without the prestige of a Chelsea plot, raingardens are a visually appealing, not to mention effective, solution for managing stormwater.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Stormwater management without aesthetic compromise <\/strong><\/p>\n

Designed to mimic natural water cycles, raingardens are filled with native plants chosen for their suitability for local climates, which means they require minimal maintenance in order to stay looking their best; aside from the beneficial cost implications, people want to be in green spaces that look lush and healthy, so ease of maintenance is a significant consideration when designing to improve community wellbeing as well as for practical considerations around flood mitigation. Native species also provide the right habitat for local wildlife, thus supporting biodiversity. The installation of gardens built to this principle also combats the urban heat island effect, by adding greenery which lowers temperatures through shade and evapotranspiration, as well as improving air quality.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike traditional landscaping, raingardens are engineered to support infiltration and evapotranspiration, which reduces the volume and speed of stormwater runoff before it makes its way into the sewer system. The more conventional approach taken previously in urban areas, featuring impervious surfaces such as concrete and tarmac, prevents rainwater from soaking into the ground, leading to increased runoff and problems with sewer capacity during a storm event. This runoff often carries pollutants such as oil, fertilizers and debris into nearby water bodies, degrading water quality and habitats. In contrast, raingardens act as filters, capturing sediment and pollutants, while promoting groundwater recharge.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Bloor Homes, Felixstowe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Raingardens: a proven solution for stormwater management<\/strong><\/p>\n

We have worked on numerous projects where either impermeable paving has been replaced by raingarden installations, or new-build developments have incorporated raingarden elements in order to future-proof the urban environment for their communities, including:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n