Understanding, management and modelling of urban hydrology and its consequences for receiving waters: A state of the art

► We review the state of knowledge in urban rainfall, hydrology and stormwater management. ► There are promising new technologies for measuring and predicting rainfall and runoff. ► Stormwater must be managed as a resource to protect the flow regime and water quality. ► Managing the urban water balance has environmental and human benefits. ► Climate change poses a significant challenge to urban stormwater systems.