Design with Water

Arup addresses critical issues relating to resilience,flood risk, water supply and wastewater treatmentby placing a re-integrated water cycle at the heart ofsustainable planning, design and delivery. Design with water By aligning with, and supporting other socio-economic andenvironmental drivers, actions taken to protect and enhancethe water cycle can deliver multiple wider benefits. Coasts Coastal zones are critical for trade and industry, habitat, tourism, health, and, increasingly,for energy. With forecasts of sea-level rise and changing weather patterns, low-lying coastalsettlements are increasingly vulnerable to storms and flooding. Adaptable, robust coastaldefences that work with natural systems can underpin sustainable development of coastalcommunities, as can schemes to improve bathing water quality. Selected projects: Rivers and waterways Understanding and living safely with rivers in drought and flood - as a benefit ora danger - is key to successful land use planning. Rivers and waterways supportecosystems and have shaped patterns of development over time. Protecting andre-vitalising these assets through improved water quality, habitat creation and highquality design is critical to successful urban and rural development. Selected projects: Leeds/Liverpool Canal, watersiderestoration & regeneration, Liverpool UK Planning and urban design From regional scale to neighbourhoods and individual dwellings, water-sensitive land use planning and urban design creates a framework thatbalances effective water-cycle management with wider environmentaldrivers and other urban systems, including transport, housing, green space,industry, agriculture, health, education and economic development. Selected projects: Resilient infrastructure Built infrastructure should be designed to accommodate current and potentialfuture hydrological extremes, whilst preserving and enhancing aquatic ecosystems.Accommodating climate change, by making precautionary allowances for futurechange or through adaptive management, will ensure resilient infrastructuresystems that survive and perform well in an increasingly uncertain future. Selected projects: Urban retrofit In addition to planning new development, retrofit of existingenvironments is a critical issue facing city authorities, watermanagers and other stakeholders. From improved buildings services,urban greening and retrofit of SUDS within urban landscapes, watercan play a key role in transforming urban environments. Selected projects: Green infrastructure Water can be a powerful integrator and a catalyst for change.Designing for water can play a key role in delivery of improvedgreen infrastructure - the networks of woodlands open spaces,wildlife habitats, waterways and other natural assets that underpinhealthy and successful places. Selected projects: Buildings and public realm Water can play a key role in place-making through integration of water and green infrastructureto revitalise public realm, improve microclimate and enhance connectivity for people andwildlife. Designing new buildings and retrofitting existing ones for water and energy efficiencyis also critical. Strategies include use of water efficient fixtures and fittings, rainwaterharvesting and treatment, grey water recycling and integration of green roofs and walls. Selected projects: Water resources Sustainable use of water resources against a background of climate change, urbanisation andpopulation growth requires an integrated catchment-wide approach. Whole-life assessmentof water supply, treatment and storage options from surface water and groundwater, to seawater, rainwater harvesting and grey water must be coupled with demand reduction throughbehaviour change, smart infrastructure and water efficient design. Selected projects: Water strategy, site development andregeneration of Robben Island, South Africa Managing Water Use in ScarceEnvironments - WRG 2030 Global Study Place and community Access to and engagement with water can play a significant role in creatingbetter places with a strong sense of identity. Making space for water can openup and reconnect people and places. Water is an integrator which can facilitatepartnership and collaboration. Place and community Selected projects: Climate change Design for water helps to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Greening of urbanareas, including large tree planting, new habitats and creation of open water bodiesdirectly contribute to improved microclimate and reduce water demand. Locallymanaged water can increase resilience to water scarcity and drought. Climate change Selected projects: Health and wellbeing In additional to provision of the basic human need for water and sanitation, water-relatedinfrastructure can help to improve overall living environments and provide opportunitiesfor community engagement: increasing connectivity, absorbing air pollutants, improvingmicroclimate and providing opportunities for recreation,