Urban Stormwater Management In Asia Pacific

Introduction

Climate change is intensifying rainfall patterns and urban flooding, forcing cities across Asia Pacific to upgrade drainage and stormwater systems. Traditional grey infrastructure is being complemented with nature-based solutions, permeable surfaces, and retention-based approaches to manage runoff more sustainably.

From Bangkok to Jakarta and Chennai to Manila, cities are now designing infrastructure that can absorb, detain, and release stormwater in line with rainfall intensity, topography, and future climate scenarios.

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Table of Contents

1. Urban Flooding and Drainage Challenges in Asia
2. Conventional vs Nature-Based Drainage Approaches
3. Country Focus: India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand
4. Design Elements: Detention, Retention, Permeable Paving
5. Integration with Smart Cities and Urban Planning
6. Public-Private Investments in Urban Flood Projects
7. Role of Sponge Cities and Blue-Green Corridors
8. Data and Modeling Tools for Stormwater Planning
9. International Support and Climate Finance
10. Outlook for Urban Drainage Markets in Asia Pacific

Drainage Is No Longer Just About Pipes—It’s About Urban Resilience

The urban drainage and stormwater management market in Asia Pacific is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% from 2026 to 2035. Singapore’s Active Beautiful Clean (ABC) Waters Program, launched in 2006, is the first large-scale Low-Impact Development (LID) initiative in a tropical setting. It incorporates features like rain gardens, green roofs, wetlands, and canal restorations to improve stormwater management.

India’s AMRUT 2.0, Indonesia’s National Urban Flood Resilience Project, and Vietnam’s HCMC Flood Management Program are focused on combining large stormwater pipes with recharge zones, urban wetlands, and early warning systems.

Private sector participation is growing in:

• Drainage master planning
• Modular detention systems
• Permeable concrete blocks and drainage cells
• O&M for pumping stations and flood gates

Key players include Stantec, Ramboll, AECOM, and local urban infrastructure specialists. Multilateral agencies like World Bank, ADB, and Green Climate Fund are backing projects across Southeast Asia.

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