Author(s): Mateo Rinaldi and Andreas Vogelmann

Abstract: Rapid urban expansion has significantly altered natural hydrological regimes, intensified surface runoff and increasing the frequency of urban flooding. Surface drainage systems are therefore critical components of urban infrastructure, yet their planning and design often lag behind the pace of land use change. This review examines key surface drainage design issues encountered in rapidly expanding urban areas, with particular emphasis on hydrological variability, inadequate design standards, poor integration with land use planning, and maintenance constraints. The paper synthesizes findings from existing studies on runoff estimation methods, drainage network capacity, climate variability, and the influence of informal development on surface flow patterns. Common challenges identified include underestimation of peak runoff, limited consideration of future urban growth, encroachment on natural drainage paths, and fragmented institutional responsibilities. The review also highlights how climate change-induced extreme rainfall events exacerbate the limitations of conventional design approaches based on historical data. Attention is given to emerging concepts such as sustainable urban drainage systems, green infrastructure, and adaptive design strategies that seek to restore hydrological balance while improving urban resilience. By consolidating current knowledge, the review aims to provide planners and engineers with a structured understanding of recurring design shortcomings and potential mitigation pathways. The research concludes that effective surface drainage design in rapidly expanding cities requires an integrated approach that combines robust hydrological analysis, flexible design criteria, land use coordination, and long-term maintenance planning. Such an approach is essential for reducing flood risk, protecting urban assets, and supporting sustainable urban development in the context of accelerating urbanization. This perspective underscores the urgency of revising urban drainage policies to align engineering practice with evolving socio-environmental conditions and to promote resilient, inclusive, and evidence-based infrastructure decision-making across diverse urban contexts worldwide through coordinated governance, technical innovation, and sustained stakeholder engagement over long planning horizons in fast-growing cities globally.

DOI: 10.22271/27078361.2026.v7.i1a.91

Pages: 34-37 | Views: 21 | Downloads: 9

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