About us

Changing the way cities are designed, built and managed by valuing the contribution water makes to economic development, quality of life and ecosystems of which they are a part

Who we are

Water is integral to almost every feature of the urban landscape, and an enable of more productive, liveable, sustainable and resilient cities.

As the climate changes and cities grow, urban communities are calling for vision, action and collaboration to create a more secure and sustainable water future. 

Water Sensitive Cities Australia (WSCA) is a research-to-practice partnership supporting innovation in urban water management. We work across with communities, utilities, governments, development agencies and water practitioners across Australia and internationally to develop and test new urban water practices, and build a network for cities to learn from each other.

Transforming Cities Hub
In January 2026, WSCA joined Monash University’s Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (MADA). We are now a key part of the faculty’s Transforming Cities Hub, a new strategic initiative that aims to deliver scalable, context-responsive urban and architectural interventions across the Indo-Pacific region.
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Transforming Cities Hub
Knowledge Platform
WSCA continues Monash University’s more than 30-year leadership in urban water management, including the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC). Over 9 years (2012–2021), the CRCWSC built an international brand for water sensitive cities and a reputation as a trusted advisor to governments and cities.
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Knowledge Platform

What we do

What sets us apart is the multidisciplinary expertise we bring to projects, and our collaborative approach to solving complex problems:

  • We bring together technical experts and organisations to create a shared vision for a city.
  • We synthesise breakthrough research and deep industry experience to find innovative, practical action and context-specific solutions.
  • We build the collaboration, knowledge, governance and regulatory frameworks, industry capacity and business models needed for timely implementation at scale.
  • We develop and test water sensitive city technologies.
  • We enhance interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Our 3 interconnecting programmatic focus areas drive the value that we add, the projects that we select and the stories that we tell.
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Developing WSC solutions
We can work with government agencies, water utilities and councils to apply WSC principles, practices and approaches in all contexts including water management, urban planning, catchment management and resilience programs.
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SEE PROJECTS
Building capacity
We can offer training, accreditation and workshops to help equip professionals with the knowledge and confidence to apply WSC principles, practices and approaches effectively. Build capability and champion change in your organisation.
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View webinars
Supporting tools
We maintain and support the adoption of selected WSC tools, ensuring they remain relevant and accessible for practitioners everywhere.
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Use our tools
Providing advice
We can tailor advice and project support, from strategy development to implementation planning, helping organisations make water sensitive decisions that deliver lasting community and environmental benefits.
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GET IN TOUCH

What we do

Our aim is to see water sensitive practices applied as business-as-usual activity in every city, every day.
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What makes us different is the multidisciplinary expertise we bring to projects, and our collaborative approach to solving complex problems:

  • We bring together technical experts and organisations to create a shared vision for a city.
  • We synthesise breakthrough research and deep industry experience to find innovative,  practical action and context-specific solutions.
  • We build the collaboration, knowledge, governance and regulatory frameworks, industry capacity and business models needed for timely implementation at scale.
  • We develop and test water sensitive city technologies.
  • We enhance interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration.
SEE OUR PROJECTS