Urban intensification and green infrastructure: towards a water sensitive city (Project D5.1)

Project Leader
Status
In progress - commenced July 2013, to be completed March 2018
Locations

Overview

Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) is commonly implemented at a precinct-scale. This enables an integrated approach and the application of an appropriate mix of design and technologies for a spatially-relevant, climate-resilient, and resource-sensitive outcome where local water capture, storage, treatment, use, and reuse can be introduced as a contributor to the urban environment.

This project examines the issues and processes involved in delivering best practice WSUD through demonstration precinct-scale development and redevelopment projects in Victoria, Western Australia, South East Queensland and in international cities. Design projects will seek to integrate both the physical and environmental characteristics of the location, such as climate, building density, availability of open space, and local catchment issues as well as the social, cultural and legislative aspects, such as development regulations, community needs and qualities of place. The precincts, which include greenfield, greyfield and activity centres, will incorporate an integrated and holistic approach to water systems and activities.

 

Key outcomes

This project will develop plans, visual tools, design guidelines, and demonstration outputs that will support government agencies, policymakers, developers and consultants in facilitating the adoption of WSUD principles at the precinct-scale.

A key outcome will be the demonstration of how the various social, science and economic outputs of the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC) can influence design and the visualisation of what these sites, precincts and cities of the future might look like.
Some of the major outcomes so far in the project include the successful completion of design studio workshops in Kunshan, China and well-received design work for major housing developments being planned and delivered by the City Canning, Western Australia.
Final outputs of the project will include:

  • a repository of CRCWSC’s research relevant to built environment outcomes;
  • design project case studies and appropriate visual representations of a mix of precinct types and scales in Australia and internationally; and
  • a toolkit demonstrating key design principles that best support the integration of resilient water sensitive precinct design.

Related

Project Team Members

Latest Update

Quarter 3, FY2017/18

The researchers worked on the final D5.1 output—a ‘toolkit’ published as an edited book. The book will include an introduction, an overall framing chapter (by Nigel Bertram), a chapter by each of the universities on their city (Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane) and respective D5.1 research, and a final chapter (by Shane Murray and Diego Ramirez-Lovering) on the D5.1 design research processes.

Negotiations were underway with a commercial publisher to enable the project’s findings to have maximum reach.

For Monash University’s Melbourne project:

  • A chapter draft was underway.
  • Monash was involved in forums and events to disseminate the Melbourne project outcomes.

For the Norman Creek Project:

  • The team compiled mapping and analysis of Brisbane’s ‘deep structure’ to support the design research of urban futures in the Norman Creek catchment.
  • A chapter draft was created.
  • Dr Paola Leardini launched the University of Queensland’s Masters research elective on the Norman Creek analysis and design research.

For the University of Western Australia’s (UWA) Perth project:

  • A chapter draft was completed in late March.
  • Geoffrey London and Daniel Martin initiated a Masters design studio at the UWA School of Design to interrogate infill types and responses to sandy and clayey conditions.

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Academic Publications

Last updated: 17th Jun 2016