Learning Potential Transformation Practices for Water Sensitive Planning for Cities in a Tropical Context

Stormwater Conference

Cities that are undergoing rapid urbanization experience increased vulnerability. Communities living in those urban areas are exposed to unprecedented environmental issues and impacts of climate change. These challenges necessitate a resurgence of urban planning methods and applications. Contemporary planning practices need to incorporate the concepts of ‘livable cities/communities’ for delivering cities of the future. Despite well-informed concepts, real solutions seem elusive, particularly in tropical cities. Consequently, environmental changes have been increasing, endangering communities and natural resources through increasing climate change impacts of extreme weather events, floods, and drought.

Although the concepts of water sensitive planning and designs are not new, they have shaped northern and southern hemisphere urban environments in association with different water management issues and perspectives. For example, Low Impact Development (LID) that focuses on approaches to managing storm water is a pioneering and significant initiative implemented by the USA in the 1990s. Considerable innovation in stormwater infrastructure design also existed in Germany around this time. Later, the concept has been extended to other parts of Europe and in Australasia integrating water sensitive elements and methods across developing urban landscapes. These methods have incorporated different perspectives of urban water management issues and outcomes, and urban design, using various concepts such as Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and Low Impact Urban Design and Development (LIUDD).

Despite recent attention on these concepts from tropical urban designers and managers, it is not yet known how water sensitive planning practices can contribute to the delivery of livable tropical cities and communities. Considering the need to optimise urban waterrelated outcomes for tropical cities, this study explores the potential of water sensitive planning practices to create a better future for Colombo, Sri Lanka. Case studies of water sensitive and urban design methods from other selected countries will support recommendations.

Conference Papers Resource - Conference Papers Stormwater

3. Iresh Jayawardena.pdf

pdf
682 KB
21 Jun 2016