WSC Index being applied to more international settings
To date, our WSC Index Tool has been applied to 55 cities, predominantly in Australia. As well as helping cities to understand their own water sensitive performance and aspirations to inform action planning, these applications generate useful information for comparing and benchmarking performance between cities. In other words, it means cities can learn from each other.
The next step is to broaden the range of contexts to which the Index is applied—different cities in different countries. So, we are now encouraging use of the Index internationally, initially utilising our existing networks in different global regions to drive uptake. Our aims are to:
- mainstream water sensitive cities principles and practices
- expand existing partnerships and create new ones
- learn how we can improve the Index and WSC approaches so that they can be applied in diverse contexts around the world.
We have also developed a 3-week online course (hosted by the Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) online learning platform) to train and accredit WSC Index providers in different geographical regions. We delivered the course for the first time in November 2020, attracting 34 participants from 11 countries: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, The Netherlands, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, India, Indonesia and Australia.
Cape Town, South Africa benchmarking workshop delivered by Zutari and University of Cape Town
The WSC Index was applied in Cape Town, South Africa in July 2020. The workshop was delivered jointly by Zutari, the University of Cape Town, and the CRCWSC as part of a broader process to develop a water sensitive city vision and transition strategy. The benchmarking process revealed interesting insights into the differences between the formally developed areas and informal settlements across the city, which was reflected by determining scores for informal/formal areas for specific indicators. Representatives from Zutari will discuss the workshop and the findings at the 5th Water Sensitive Cities Conference.
We’re looking forward to the WSC Index being applied in more African countries.
CRCWSC foundation partner GHD first accredited providers in North America
GHD, one of the CRCWSC’s foundation partners, is the first company to be accredited to apply the Index in the USA and Canada. The company is particularly excited by the opportunity to use the Index to strengthen Australian–North American connections, and build understanding about water sensitive cities principles and practices. The city of Vancouver, Canada has revealed its water sensitive city aspirations in its recently released water strategy. You can read about the strategy here.
The CRCWSC is pursuing opportunities for WSC Index application in India
The WSC Index has been promoted at a number of trainings and seminars through the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in New Delhi, India. (You can find out more about that here.)
The CRCWSC is now actively pursuing opportunities to apply the WSC Index to Indian cities with Alluvium International, CSE and Terracon via an Australia-India Council grant submission.
These are just a few of the opportunities happening around the world. For more information about the WSC Index and a full list of trained providers for your region, see the WSC Index website here.