When we plan our city, it's important to understand how we can reduce waste and protect our environment.
Water-sensitive urban design
Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) thinks about how we can reduce the amount of water runoff in a development. If there is any, we should make sure it causes very little damage. It also thinks about how we use water wisely to improve our urban environment.
The key principles of WSUD are to:
- use different sources of water so we don't need to use as much drinking water. This might include:
- rainwater
- treated wastewater, and
- encouraging water-efficient appliances.
- reduce how much wastewater we create, and make sure it's treated so it can be reused and/or released to receiving waters
- treat urban stormwater so it can be reused and/or released to surface waters, and
- use stormwater in the urban landscape to improve the visual and recreational amenities of developments.
More information about WSUD, including the options different development types can consider when implementing the above principles and other useful resources is available at Water Efficiency.
Design guides under the new planning system
Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design Guide
The Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design Guide [PDF 6.4 MB] looks at how new developments can work in harmony with the natural environment. They will help protect and improve biodiversity and ecological connectivity. This will be done throughout the development’s design.
Housing Design Guide
The Housing Design Guide [PDF 15MB] outlines ways developers can incorporate good design into denser housing developments. This includes elements such as apartment size and layout, ceiling heights, solar access, natural ventilation and private open spaces like balconies.
Urban Design Guide
The Urban Design Guide [PDF 12MB] looks at the ways developers can incorporate good design into public spaces and places. Examples include the outside public areas around the building, improved pedestrian access, and designing for active travel, trees and landscaping and inclusive public spaces.
