Water Sensitive Urban Design

"Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is an emerging urban development paradigm aimed to minimise hydrological impacts of urban development on environment. In practice, the WSDU integrates stormwater, groundwater water supply and wastewater management to:

  • protect existing natural features and ecological processes;
  • maintain natural hydrologic behaviour of catchments;
  • protect water quality of surface and ground waters;
  • minimise demand on the reticulated water supply system;
  • minimise wastewater discharges to the natural environment;
  • integrate water into the landscape to enhance visual, social, cultural and ecological values.

WSUD aims for an integrated approach across various scales, from individual allotments to large subdivision and major catchments. In practice, to apply WSUD principles means to:

  • protect natural creeks and other waterways on site;
  • reduce potable water demand through measures such as water efficient fittings and appliances, rainwater harvesting and wastewater re-use;
  • treat in a decentralised manner urban stormwater for re-use and/or discharge to receiving waters;
  • match the natural water runoff regime as closely as possible;
  • minimise wastewater generation and treating wastewater to a standard suitable for effluent re-use opportunities;
  • integrate stormwater management into the landscape, creating multiple use corridors that maximise the visual and recreational amenity of the development;
  • support water utility innovations." (Cliamte-ADAPT, 2022)
Sources

Climate-ADAPT. "Water Sensitive Urban and Building Design". The European Climate Adaptation Platform Climate-ADAPT: Adaptation options. Published August 20, 2016. Last updated November 02, 2022. Accessed January 10, 2023. Link: https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/metadata/adaptation-options/wate…

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Local Perspectives Case Studies

Need of geospatial analysis on further strengthening water sensitive urban planning and design to stormwater management in the Greater Colombo metropolitan area

Need of geospatial analysis on further strengthening water sensitive urban planning and design to stormwater management in the Greater Colombo metropolitan area

Beddagana wetland Park in western province, outside of Colombo. Photo by Sureshkumar1213. CC.
In urban environments, three distinct water systems can typically be identified: (1) the drinking water supply, (2) the wastewater/sewer system, and (3) the rainwater/stormwater management system. While many cities are situated within urban watersheds, urban development has a significant impact on urban hydrology-associated environments, including waterways, coastal waters, and water supply catchments. Managing water flows within an urban setting is critically important, as original natural ecosystems have undergone significant land changes alongside anticipated precipitation variations due to climate change. It is imperative for urban areas situated on or near waterfronts to prioritize this matter. Therefore, water-sensitive urban planning and design framework integrating Nature-based Solutions in coastal, delta, and riverine cities within urban watersheds. It is similar to Green Infrastructure and/or Stormwater Best Management Practices, as well as Low-Impact Development, and the Water Sensitive Urban Design concept, which is an innovative framework for urban planning and design. It has evolved from its initial focus on stormwater management to encompass a more comprehensive approach to sustainable urban water management. It offers a cohesive framework for integrating the interactions between the built environment, including urban landscapes and the urban water cycle. Colombo, the commercial and financial hub of Sri Lanka, faces significant challenges due to its aging and congested urban infrastructure. The city is built on thirty-six wetland patches linked by a 50-kilometer man-made canal system called the Colombo Wetland Complex (CWC). Due to its strong connection with its wetland complex, Colombo City was recognized as the first capital to be accredited as an International Wetland City by Ramsar in 2018. The CWC includes open-water lakes, a canal system, wet woodlands, herb-dominated areas, riverine forests, active and abandoned paddy fields, and reedbeds. These wetlands provide crucial ecosystem services, enhancing residents' well-being through water purification, urban flood mitigation, temperature regulation, recreational opportunities, and urban agriculture. Revitalizing and developing the city, as well as encroachments, has led to the loss of its natural mosaic and ecosystem services. It is essential to explore sustainable solutions that address significant urban water management issues, including stormwater, wastewater, and groundwater.
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