From water sensitive urban design to water sensitive cities: Challenges and enablers

Climate change and rapid urbanisation have confronted cities with water management challenges. Stormwater has been acknowledged as a major concern because of its mismanagement. It has also been underestimated as a resource in climate change actions and policies. There has not been adequate research on a holistic framework incorporating the main enablers and challenges of stormwater management projects in diverse contexts. This thesis presents qualitative and quantitative research underpinning a novel water sensitive city (WSC) framework. Survey responses (388) and interviews (104) drew data from around the world. These data included extensive and detailed perceptions of built environment professionals about stormwater management. The quantitative analysis was conducted using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modelling (SEM). The qualitative analysis involved thematic and content analysis. It was found that, according to expert knowledge, both environmental factors and project implementation have a significant influence on transition to a WSC. Within a water sensitive urban design (WSUD) project, project design and project management and maintenance have indirect influence on WSC performance through project implementation. At present, the built environment is insufficiently prepared for climate change adaptation through stormwater management. The great variety of stakeholders, inadequate financial planning, limited interdisciplinary communication, insufficient knowledge and awareness, and a lack of integrated evaluation tools are the main challenges which countries are struggling with in their attempts to implement climate change adaptation. Developing an integrated financial mechanism, allocating budgets, clear evaluation criteria, integrating climate change adaptation in policy and planning, and developing collaboration between all sectors are the main enablers. The research suggest that policymakers, designers, developers and regulators should ...