Briefing: Creating sustainable urban water systems

Abstract

Managing urban water infrastructure is conventionally the professional domain of engineers. As urban water systems are placed under increasing pressure due to population growth, rapid urbanisation and climate change, the provision of water and sanitation services to cities has become a wicked problem. As such it cannot be adequately addressed by engineers alone, and requires greater attention from urban designers and planners. The move to sustainable urban water systems will involve greater attention to decentralised and distributed technologies such as rainwater harvesting and water reuse. Water sensitive urban design should be encouraged, to promote the integration of drainage, habitat, ecosystems, water supply and sanitation in cities.