Comparative Analysis and Optimization of LID Practices for Urban Rainwater Management: Insights from SWMM Modeling and RSM Analysis

Yepeng Mai (), Xueliang Ma, Fei Cheng, Yelin Mai and Guoru Huang
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Yepeng Mai: School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Xueliang Ma: School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Fei Cheng: School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Yelin Mai: Hainan Hualong Tongguling Tourism Holding Co., Ltd., Wenchang 571236, China
Guoru Huang: School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-23

Abstract: Urbanization necessitates Low Impact Development (LID) practices for sustainable development, but existing studies lack analysis about the comprehensive effect and optimal allocation of LID combination practices. To address this gap, this study conducted an in-depth analysis of the runoff control effects of individual and combined LID practices and pollutants under varying retrofit proportions, utilizing the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Four evaluation metrics were employed for parameter calibration and validation assessment to ensure the accuracy of the SWMM. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was then employed to optimize the retrofit proportions of LID practices due to its high efficiency and statistical rigor. The results showed that, under the same retrofit ratio, bio-retention (BC) has a better runoff reduction rate and pollutant removal rate. For example, when the retrofit proportion is 100%, the runoff pollutant removal rates of BC in Parcel 1 and Parcel 2 are 29.6% and 32.9%, respectively. To achieve a 70% runoff control rate, the optimal retrofit proportions for Parcel 1 were 67.5% for green roofs (GR), 92.2% for permeable pavements (PP), 88.9% for bio-retention cells (BC), and 50% for low-elevation greenbelts (LEG); these correspond to the proportions for Parcel 2 that were 65.1%, 68.1%, 82.0%, and 50%, respectively. In conclusion, this study provides scientific and technical support for urban planners and policymakers in urban rainwater management, especially in similar regions.

Keywords: optimal LID combination; retrofit proportion; SWMM modeling; response surface methodology (RSM); urban water management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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