Understanding the effects of site-scale water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) in the urban water cycle: a review

Abstract

With city growth, the development of vacant or under-used land parcels is becoming more common compared to the past. The current ‘water-sensitive urban design (WSUD)’ approach to such development will improve resource efficiency, liveability, and the amenity of cities, especially natural water systems. However, there is a need to quantify the water performance of site-scale WSUD options, especially about how these options impact the ‘natural’ and ‘anthropogenic’ flows in the urban water cycle. This study reviewed research about site-scale applications, summarizing the urban water cycle studies from before development to after development. Key findings (i) include very big margin was quantified by (a) water retention (30–100%) and (b) portable water demand reduction (18–100%) for selected site-scale WSUD options through six research studies; (ii) still unclear about the selected site-scale WSUD options’ interaction performance in the urban water cycle between each water accounts, and (iii) need to clarify the site-scale WSUD option's contribution under specific rainfall scenarios. In summary, this study aims to review the literature on the urban water cycle; review the effects of site-scale WSUD options in the urban water cycle; review the water mass balance and relevant evaluation application, and highlight the opportunities for the future urban water cycle studies.