Analysis of Sustainable Solutions for Stormwater Management in Vulnerable Urban Areas: Case Study in Monteverde, Montería, Colombia

Rapid urban expansion in Montería, Córdoba, Colombia, has led to significant challenges in stormwater management, especially in neighborhoods that lack adequate drainage infrastructure. This study evaluates the preliminary feasibility of implementing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems in the Monteverde neighborhood, an area that is frequently affected by severe flooding during rainfall events. Using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), three intervention scenarios were simulated: (1) implementation of floodable tree pits, (2) installation of stormwater storage tanks, and (3) a combination of both. The simulations were based on a designed storm with a 10-year return period. The results showed that scenario 2 (storage tanks) achieved the most effective performance, with reductions in peak flow ranging from 10% to 34% at all discharge points in the system. In scenario 1 (floodable tree pits), the reduction was negligible, less than 1%, due to the limited infiltration capacity of local soils and the available green space. Scenario 3, which combined both types, showed cumulative improvements but did not significantly outperform scenario 2. In addition, the tanks demonstrated better hydraulic performance in critical sub-basins where high runoff volumes were observed. These findings indicate that while SUDSs can contribute to urban resilience, their efficiency depends heavily on site-specific conditions. The study provides technical evidence supporting the inclusion of storage tanks as a viable SUDS strategy in Montería's stormwater planning.