Centre for Water Sensitive Cities

The twin challenges confronting Australian cities and towns of accommodating increasing population and the effects of climate change have implications for almost every aspect of water in our urban environments. Through the practice of Water Sensitive Urban Design, the planning and design of a "Water Sensitive City" responds to issues of water conservation and water security, risk of flooding, degradation of urban waterways and rising temperatures, in a way that enhances the liveability of our cities and towns. The notion of water sensitive Australian cities has featured in government policies, including the Victorian Government's Green Paper on Climate Change Adaptation (June 2009), but how to get there remains largely undefined.

The vision endorsed by the Centre for Water Sensitive Cities is to transform cities and their communities in ways that will help them to live in harmony with natural water environments.

The Centre will play a pivotal role in transforming Australian cities to become resilient to current and future challenges.

The Centre is building Australia's capacity to advance sustainable urban water practices through

• research excellence,
• engagement with planning, development and water management professions, and
• supporting the development of government policies.

Engineers Australia

Since 1919, Engineers Australia has provided the national focus for the development of all aspects of engineering as well as representing the interests of engineers and the communities they serve.