Water-related liveability assessment: Indicators for evaluation of urban design

Abstract

Sustainable water management, and the reshaping of the interactions between environment, infrastructure and humans it implies, increasingly requires consideration of the associated effects on urban liveability. This paper presents a suitable method of systematic assessment of water-related liveability benefits of different urban designs. The study identified a long list of potential indicators and then down-selected and tested 23 indicators that can quantify liveability aspects of water-related urban environment (green space, blue space, water infrastructure). These were used the quantify and compare water-related liveability of three development scenarios for a 130-ha precinct in South Australia. The study found that designs with water sensitive features contribute to the liveability of medium-density redevelopment through improved accessibility of green and blue space, use of irrigated green space, use of alternative water source systems and diversity of public green space. However, the effect of population size is notable, with the availability of blue and green space being higher in low-density scenarios. The study provides a methodology for understanding the relationship between water and liveability by measuring aspects of water-related environment as mid-point indicators, rather than end point indicators such as residential satisfaction. This work could inform further studies of the trade-offs between liveability and water provisioning in the design of future cities and climate adaptation efforts.