What is a water sensitive city?
Why a water sensitive city?
A water sensitive city is a place that:
- serves as a potential water supply catchment, providing a range of different water sources at a range of different scales, and for a range of different uses;
- provides ecosystem services and a healthy natural environment, thereby offering a range of social, ecological, and economic benefits; and
- consist of water sensitive communities where citizens have the knowledge and desire to make wise choices about water, are actively engaged in decision-making, and demonstrate positive behaviours such as conserving water at home and not tipping chemicals down the drain.
Watch this short video explainer below to learn more about a water sensitive city
What makes a city water sensitive?
A water sensitive city is:
- productive – efficient and diverse water sources provide the water security essential for economic prosperity
- sustainable – water systems enhance and protect the health of waterways and wetlands, the river basins that surround them, and the coast and bays
- resilient – water systems mitigate flood risk and damage
- liveable – public spaces collect, clean, and recycle water.
Talk to Ben (Ben.Furmage@monash.edu) or Jamie (Jamie.Ewert@monash.edu) about how we can help you achieve a secure and sustainable water future.
We’re looking for partners
We’re excited by the possibilities Water Sensitive Cities Australia presents, and we welcome partners.
If you’re interesting in partnering with us, please complete a declaration form.
If you have any questions, talk to our Mainstreaming Leader Jamie Ewert (jamie.ewert@monash.edu).
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PROJECTS
Resilient Urban Centres and Surrounds Phase 2 (RUCAS 2)
Nature-based solutions offer a wide range of benefits to growing urban communities to help build resilient urban centres and surrounds.
We are working with partners in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam to deliver, monitor and scale inclusive hybrid nature-based solutions that strengthen climate, disaster and water resilience in urban areas.
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Exploring the Climate–Disability Nexus in Greater Mekong urban communities
We are working with local stakeholders in 3 Mekong countries – Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam – to develop and share new research that will build the capacity of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to prepare and respond to climate hazards.
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Delivering Water Sensitive Housing in a Housing Crisis
We are looking for funding partners from all jurisdictions, including consortiums of government agencies, water utilities, councils and water practitioners, to advance water sensitive affordable housing at scale.
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