Green infrastructure (GI) refers to natural or semi-natural ecosystems that provide water resource management by introducing the natural water cycle into urban environments. It provides effective measures to manage urban flooding, water supply and quantity regulation, at the same time generating multiple environmental benefits.

GI aims to recreate a naturally-oriented water cycle while contributing to the amenity of the city by bringing water management and GI together. This is achieved by combining and protecting the hydrological and ecological values of the urban landscape while providing resilient and adaptive measures to deal with floods, generating a multitude of environmental, ecological, sociocultural and economic benefits. GI favours a holistic approach and aims for interdisciplinary cooperation in water management, urban design, and landscape planning.

The key water management issues that can be addressed by utilizing GI are water supply and quality regulation, and moderation of extreme events.

What is water-sensitive urban planning and designing?

Water Sensitive Design and Planning (WSUDP) is an approach that integrates and optimizes the use of available water sources and completes the water cycle by incorporating the following in planning and designing.

• Protecting local waterbodies (lakes, ponds and wetlands) for supplementary water sources
• Storm-water management at public places, including open areas in cities through elements of landscape design (e.g. vegetated swales and buffer strips, bio-retention systems)
• Recycling and reusing wastewater naturally (low cost/low energy) and not treating it as a liability
• Increasing water-conservation approaches at various scales (buildings/ campus)-i.e. by adopting water-efficient fixtures, xeriscaping landscape (i.e. planting native species) and using water-efficient irrigation methods- thereby minimizing load on the municipal supply system and groundwater sources. On-site water conservation with rainwater harvesting (RWH) is also important to reduce water scarcity.
• Adding value to the social and ecological aspects of areas by planning and designing the built environment in accordance with community needs and water issues
• Connecting the urban water cycle by collaborating with practitioners of different disciplines to bring different perspectives and expertise
• Associating upcoming policies, regulations and approvals with WSUDP