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• Neighbouring communities gave key importance to SuDS under climate change scenarios. • Human aspects hold transformative potential to transition to resilient communities. • SEM and PLS methods deliver a robust approach to value community perceptions. • This pioneering experience could inform policies which enable SuDS in practice. • Young-aged communities present significant sensitivity toward SuDS implementation. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) have arisen as an alternative to "grey" conventional drainage in order to manage stormwater in urbanised areas. While technical aspects regarding the design and construction of SuDS have received most of the attention by academics and practitioners across the world, social aspects such as amenity, health, governance or equity, amongst others, still are not fully considered for design, planning and operation. The present research introduces human aspects of water management beyond traditional schemes to examine community perceptions about SuDS. With this aim, the Smart PLS Path Modelling method has been designed to measure social unobserved variables through indicators, using the UNESCO's principles. A case study was developed at three neighbouring communities in Cáceres (region of Extremadura), Spain, in order to check the potential of SuDS to be considered for full implementation in Southern Europe. A questionnaire was designed and conducted using 276 dwellers whose average was 39. The participants showed significant sensitivity towards the implementation of SUDS. This research opens a new research line by tackling the knowledge gap identified, informing on how to approach young communities with few or no knowledge about SuDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]