Water-Sensitive Urban Design

Integrating the Water Cycle into City Planning (Solution Type)

Global (widely applicable)

Highlight

Plans streets, parks and buildings to manage rainwater as a resource rather than a waste stream.

Extended description

Water-sensitive urban design integrates the entire urban water cycle into planning and landscape design, using measures such as wetlands, swales, rain gardens, permeable surfaces and water reuse. Instead of treating stormwater as waste to be removed quickly, it slows, stores, cleans and reuses water locally. The approach reduces flood risk, improves water quality and supports greener, cooler urban environments.