Invitation from the Conference Chair and Deputy Chair

On behalf of the organising committee and the supporting organisations, we are pleased to invite you to Melbourne for the 7^th International Conference on Water Sensitive Urban Design. Understanding the nexus between sustainable urban water management and the vitality, liveability and prosperity of urban communities is one of the most significant challenges of the 21^st Century. Many urban communities are now faced with rising temperatures, longer and more severe droughts, more frequent and devastating floods and increased levels of water borne pollutants; all of which diminish the liveability of our urban areas and degrade our natural environments.

Building a water sensitive community cannot be achieved with traditional urban water management approaches alone. To meet to this challenge, an integrated approach is necessary; we should strive to effectively link the myriad design and implementation cultures of the different disciplines involved in urban water management. During WSUD2012, we invite you, through your participation, to demonstrate how this linking is possible, and let this conference be the first stepping stone toward building the water sensitive community.