Water-sensitive urban design aligns with health system goals by promoting safe, accessible environments. It offers mental well-being benefits, urban cooling, improved air quality, and community connections.
Design Scale: District, Lot, Precinct, Street
Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) aligns with health system goals by promoting safe, accessible, and high-quality environments that prioritize prevention and overall community well-being. WSUD optimizes water resource management across built and natural landscapes, fostering healthier ecosystems and environments. It offers various health benefits, including mental well-being from increased access to nature, urban cooling through green infrastructure, improved air quality, and enhanced community connections.
Drivers for WSUD integration include the recognition of health benefits from green spaces, water scarcity challenges, urban densification, and climate change impacts. Opportunities for WSUD implementation exist in neighborhoods, streets, parks, and buildings. Strategies like urban forestry, passive water systems for trees, and retrofitting drainage systems into vegetated areas offer cooling effects, improve stormwater management, and enhance community amenities. WSUD also supports cultural values associated with water and can contribute to lower surface temperatures, reduced flood risks, and increased biodiversity. Overall, WSUD presents an integrated approach to urban design that addresses health, environmental, and social considerations for sustainable urban development.
Our focus areas
Supporting community wellbeing and healthy environments within resilient and sustainable places throughout Western Australia.
