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Promoting green infrastructure and sustainable living in our urban cities, while also mitigating the risks of flooding and pollution requires an integrated approach between land and water.
Water Boulevards is an integrated approach to urban planning, which weaves communities in flood-risk areas to promote the three pillars of sustainability.
I. Economic sustainability
The natural tranquility of the Water Boulevards will provide for premium retail frontages, thus increasing footfall and retail demand, which creates more jobs. The cost savings and efficiencies from water recycling and productive gardens will be an economic benefit.
II. Environmental Sustainability
The ponds, swales and reed beds of the water boulevards, passively reduce flood risk, provide temporary storage and improve water quality, while creating wetland habitats for wildlife in an attractive aquatic setting.
III. Social sustainability
The Water Boulevards will connect communities together while promoting engagement in water management and increasing social responsibility by encouraging a sense of “stewardship” in the community.
Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) is a holistic approach to water cycle management within the built environment. It is a process that strives to create harmony between water & communities to bring various social, environmental & economic benefits. It considers all aspects of the water cycle within the urban design process. This provides an opportunity to create multi-functional landscapes, which improve water systems and placemaking at the same time. WSUD is described as an integration of two fields: ‘integrated urban water cycle planning and management’ and ‘urban design’.
There are various challenges related to water, such as flooding, drought, watercourse pollution, wastewater management and much more. Given the severe pressure on our existing water infrastructures & ecosystems, WSUD should be an integral part of the planning process in urban design. One of the key objectives is to enhance natural systems within our cities. This provides a range of opportunities to retrofit WSUD into existing neighbourhoods, whilst at the same time offering opportunities for new development to leapfrog traditional systems and innovate with new strategies.
One of the opportunities of WSUD is the retrofitting of existing streets to more ecological landscapes. The Water Boulevards project aims to demonstrate how through creativity & multi-functional solutions, we can address various problems holistically with WSUD.
In addition to improving water management, WSUD can also offer social and ecological benefits. Shifting the primary mode of transport away from cars, and more towards cycling & walking whilst also promoting local urban farming are just few examples of the additional benefits.
Attractive landscapes with various types of habitats for wildlife, as well as social spaces are also integrated into the design.
This holistic approach focuses on human centric urban planning, where natural systems and built systems are working together to create livable neighbourhoods.
Urban planners, landscape designers & architects have a collaborative opportunity to address the whole water cycle in urban developments. This integrated approach can provide more than resilience against a changing climate. It can offer better social infrastructure and increase the creation of successful places.