Learning potential transformation practices for water sensitive planning for cities in a tropical context

Abstract

Cities that are undergoing rapid urbanization seem to experience a higher level of vulnerabilities. As a result, 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. Hence, contemporary planning practices are expected to incorporate the concepts of ‘livable cities’ and ‘livable communities’ for delivering cities of the future, ultimately, reflecting sustainable societies and cities. Even though the concepts are fully informed, real solutions seem elusive in many cities, especially in the tropical context. As a result, 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 been practiced in both northern and southern hemispheres for shaping 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 can be considered as one of the pioneering and most significant initiatives 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 among countries in 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 the fact that the concept has recently attracted attention from cities in the tropical environment, it is not yet known how water sensitive planning practices can contribute to the delivery of livable tropical cities and communities. In consideration of the need to optimise urban water related outcomes for these cities, this study explores the potential of water sensitive planning practices to create a better future in tropical cities like Colombo, Sri Lanka. The methodology to be adopted will involve analysis of case studies based on water sensitive and urban design methods from selected countries.