Design of a Residential Rain Garden for Stormwater Management in Paseos del Bosque, Corregidora, Querétaro, Mexico

Abstract

Urbanisation in residential areas increases impervious surfaces, stormwater runoff, drainage overload, and the intensification of the urban heat island effect. Although nature-based solutions (NBS), such as rain gardens, are widely recognised in the literature for reducing runoff by up to 72% and mitigating local temperatures, site-specific quantitative designs are essential for effective local implementation. This study develops a tailored bioretention design with direct infiltration to optimise stormwater management and support ecological balance in the residential development of Paseos del Bosque (966,850 m²), Corregidora, Querétaro, Mexico. Based on local topographic, geological, and hydrological conditions, a structured multilayer filtering system (sand, gravel, and soil) with native vegetation was modelled. The design was evaluated under a design rainfall event of 30 mm and a runoff coefficient of 0.8, using field characterisation and local infiltration parameters. The proposed site-specific design achieves calculated direct absorption rates ranging from 0.7 to 54 m/d under unfavourable conditions. The hydraulic formulation supports complete drawdown and drainage within 24 to 48 h, reducing the risks of prolonged ponding and harmful vector proliferation while supporting native vegetation survival. This work provides a scalable, mathematically verified framework for the residential transition towards sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), with quantifiable hydraulic efficiency for challenging local soil strata.