Top paper honour for CRCWSC’s Beata Sochacka

The CRCWSC’s  Beata  Sochacka  will present her paper,   Water and liveability – beyond the obvious,  at  OzWater’20 Online, and it’s already being recognised as one of the  top 12 papers  for the event, which runs 2–25 June. 

We asked Beata to tell us more about her paper ahead of OzWater’20 Online:

“My paper examines the linkages between water and liveability.

The CRCWSC often talks about water’s contribution to liveability but, interestingly, outside of the water sector, water is not universally recognised as a basic prerequisite of urban liveability. Indeed, in developed countries, water provision as a necessary requirement of liveability appears to be taken for granted, and so is not mentioned in key liveability indicators, at least not in the sources I analysed. Water is also not often associated with other liveability attributes even when it can deliver additional value, for example, in water-based recreation.

On another note, in developed countries, liveability often means facilitating enjoyment of one’s preferred lifestyle. And preferred lifestyles are diverse, as are aesthetic preferences!  So, I really think we should be asking, ‘liveability for whom’? For example, ‘liveability’ is often associated with ‘amenity’. But ‘amenity’ is subjective. Water sensitive urban design, such as constructed wetlands that try to emulate natural environments, is often said to improve amenity, but not everyone finds such WSUD features to be aesthetically pleasing.

Finally, I would like to draw attention to equity issues associated with ‘liveability’ . If you look at liveability at the city scale, you may miss inequalities between different neighbourhoods. I think the question of how can we deliver better liveability outcomes rarely prompts consideration of ways to improve everyone's living conditions. As a result, I think cities may end up prioritising liveability improvements in already privileged areas, because it may be easier to engage those communities.”

Beata will explain her findings in more detail during her presentation.

Two other CRCWSC presenters will feature at OzWater’20 Online:

• Our   CEO Ben Furmage   will do a podcast under Stream 4 ‘Resilience and water security’ and discuss ‘Integrated urban flood management – a guide to choosing, financing and funding the options’ on Day 5, Tuesday 16 June.
• Lorena Ikic, our NSW Regional Manager, will present a ‘Thirst quencher’ on ‘Making a case for water in supporting cool and thriving communities’ under Stream 3 ‘Sustainable and thriving communities’ on Day 8, Thursday 25 June.

Ozwater’20 Online will be the biggest virtual water conference in the southern hemisphere. It will run throughout June with two sessions each week (total of eight days).

We have all the details of OzWater’20 Online here, and you can find more information in the online program. The registration page explains the flexible options for registering to this unique industry event.

Well done, Beata!