A new report on research and community engagement projects explores the progress of a drought-prone city in its transition to becoming water sensitive.

The report – Shaping Perth as a Water Sensitive City – is part of research for the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC) project Mapping Water Sensitive City Scenarios (A4.2).

The Perth report showcases the results of a series of workshops in which leading water, planning and community development professionals and CRCWSC researchers developed a vision for Greater Perth as a water sensitive city in 2065.

“Australian cities and towns are grappling with the question of how to use water management as a means of delivering better liveability outcomes and broader benefits in relation to water security, flood risk, biodiversity, public open space, healthy waterways, productive and connected communities,” the authors said.

“Many urban areas around Australia now have an explicit goal of becoming water sensitive. However, initiating and navigating the changes required to achieve this goal is difficult, particularly as existing infrastructure, regulatory and financial frameworks and citizen behaviour typically reinforce and anchor the status quo.”