Aligning with Stormwater Management But from the Urban Design Perspective: Towards Sustainability-Driven and Water-Based Planning and Design

Effective stormwater management is crucial for sustainable urban development, particularly in the face of increasing urbanisation and climate change impacts. While traditional stormwater management approaches often focus on engineered solutions, there is growing recognition of the importance of integrating water-based planning and design principles into urban development processes. This chapter concludes the book with the urge to align stormwater management with urban design principles to foster sustainability-driven approaches that prioritise water as a central element of the built environment. Drawing on principles of sustainable urban design, water-sensitive urban design, and landscape architecture, we propose for a more holistic understanding and broader applications of integrating stormwater management considerations/principles/facilities/functionalities into urban design processes. Key elements of the framework include the incorporation of scalable green infrastructure, such as permeable pavements, rain gardens, and bioswales, into the urban fabric to mimic natural hydrological processes and enhance stormwater retention and infiltration. Additionally, we discuss the importance of incorporating water-sensitive design principles, such as reducing impervious surfaces, preserving natural drainage patterns, and promoting water reuse and recycling, to minimise the impacts of urbanisation on the hydrological cycle. By aligning stormwater management with urban design principles, cities can create more resilient, sustainable, and water-responsive built environments that promote city and community health and wellbeing in a long run.