Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) is an integrated water management system that encompasses low-impact design (LID), water conservation and recycling, water quality management, and urban ecology. WSUD increasingly is becoming a key component in establishing appropriate sustainable supply planning in urban areas around the globe, as well as in contributing to flood prevention and water quality protection. Water resource management is one of the greatest challenges of the present century. As populations climb, per-capita use increases, and current water supplies grow shorter, water resources are becoming more critical globally. Most urban areas face difficult choices and expensive solutions to meet existing and future demand. WSUD provides one of the key approaches to resolving these dilemmas. This article describes newly emerging models of WSUD and its implementation. The discussion begins with an overview of key WSUD planning and design principles and regulatory drivers, which is followed by the WSUD toolkit and example selection process for its implementation, drawing on examples of urban areas grappling with a range of water resource management issues. This article also touches on how WSUD elements can serve the dual purpose of improving functional water infrastructure and beautification. These ideas are presented within the scope of urban current planning and design. This article then provides approaches to identifying targets and implementing WSUD in several model case studies.

Environmental Practice 11:179–189 (2009)