Resources
What is water sensitive (urban) design?
WS(U)D is a framework for the holistic management of the urban water cycle – the potable water supply, sewerage system and stormwater drainage system – and its integration into urban design. It is linked to the concepts of sustainable urban water management and integrated urban water management, which integrate social, environmental and economic aspects and emphasize resilient, equitable and regenerative approaches.
Water sensitive cities
Water Sensitive Cities are the objective of Water Sensitive Design. They are cities that are sustainable, resilient, productive and liveable through a combination of physical infrastructure, governance arrangements and social engagement.
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) offer a sustainable alternative approach to conventional drainage practices. They achieve this by mimicking the natural hydrological cycle, often through a number of sequential interventions in the form of a ‘treatment train’.
The key objectives of SuDS are the effective management of stormwater runoff quantity, quality and the associated amenity and biodiversity of the urban drainage system.
The Water Cycle
The continuous movement of water on and below the earth’s surface, and between the earth and the atmosphere, is known as the water cycle or hydrologic cycle
South African guidelines for WSUD
The framework and guidelines for Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) for South Africa are aimed at providing strategic guidance to urban water management decisionmakers on the use of WSUD in a South African context.
WSUD: Securing water in urban settlements
This publication is compiled from the Framework and Guidelines for WSUD for South Africa document. It is written primarily for councillors, city managers and other local authority officials, as well as national government policy developers and legislators.
Challenges and opportunities for implementing WSD in South Africa
A compilation of several research projects undertaken in an attempt to start ‘building a case’ for the implementation of WSD on a broad scale in South Africa – in recognition of the fact that a new approach to the management of water is required.
The Neighbourhood Planning and Design Guide (The Red Book)
This document indicates the qualities that should be sought in South African settlements, and provides practical guidance on how these qualities can be achieved. It is intended to be educative, providing ideas and useful information, and is not a substitute for innovative planning and engineering practice.
Municipality policies
Policy, strategy, standards and guideline documents from South African metropolitan municipalities.
SuDS report and South African case studies (2013)
Summary reviews of select South African SuDS case studies
The South African Guidelines for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
The South African SuDS Guidelines compiled by summarising the key material from international SuDS to highlight potential opportunities for better stormwater management. They are adapted to South African contexts and are relevant to all professionals working with stormwater.
