Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) manages urban water and stormwater in a way that is sensitive to natural hydrological and ecological systems. WSUD aims to discharge water into a natural system, rather than a drainage infrastructure network, at a local scale.

What are the principles of WSUD?

Integration with natural waterways

WSUD looks to mimic natural waterways in urban areas. This can involve using natural features like wetlands, rain gardens, and permeable surfaces to manage stormwater, reduce runoff, and improve water quality.

Urban water management

WSUD considers the entire urban water cycle, including the use and reuse of water resources within the urban environment.

Water quality

When utilised, WSUD improves the quality of stormwater runoff before it enters natural waterways. This can include filtration and the use of landscaped swales and ponds.

Reduced heat island effect

Traditional urban development often involves large areas of hard surfaces like concrete and asphalt, which are not penetrable by water and can retain heat, contributing to warmer temperatures in city areas. WSUD promotes the use of permeable pavements and green infrastructure to reduce these hard surfaces and allow water to infiltrate, helping to create a cooler environment.

Scalable

WSUD should consider the local conditions and specific geography and hydrology of the area. WSUD outcomes are adaptable and can vary widely.

Planning and resilience

WSUD projects enhance the resilience of urban areas to flooding, drought, and other water-related challenges.

The benefits of implementing WSUD

Reduced volume of stormwater entering waterways, leading to an improved aquatic environment.
Improved stormwater quality, leading to an improved water quality in rivers and bays.
Reduced reliance on drinking water to irrigate green spaces.
Flood mitigation by intercepting stormwater flows.
Improved biodiversity as a result of wetlands and raingardens.
Decreased urban heat island effect as a result of increased green space.
Increased levels of permeable or unsealed soil and soil moisture.
Improved aesthetics, enhanced biodiversity and recreational opportunities.

Town projects supporting WSUD

Urban Centre Greening sub-program

Permeable paving in areas along Albany Highway and within Lathlain Park carparking areas.

Micro space sub-program

Small scale upgrades around the Town to improve public places and create high quality pedestrian environments, by way of green basins and micro parks. These micro spaces are small but mighty, and can offer a moment of "green" relief or respite in pedestrian areas, as well as work to add to our natural environment and enhance water drainage.

Micro spaces around Town include:

Burswood Road
Albany Highway (between Basinghall Street and Canterbury Terrace)
Albany Highway (between Dane Street and Westminster Street)
Leonard Street and Albany Highway intersection

Learn more about micro spaces and our public open space strategy here.

Green basins program

Green basins are an Urban Forest initiative within the Town, focused on turning sumps into micro parks to improve their function, appearance and ecological contributions to the area. The aim is to regenerate existing drainage sumps, planting them out to improve water and soil quality, and increase public open space.

Green basins around Town include:

3 Merton Street, Victoria Park
20 Huntington Street, East Victoria Park
76 Planet Street, Carlisle
11 Esperance Street, East Victoria Park