Architects of Water-Smart Cities: An Actor-Mapping Approach

This chapter examines the Canadian water network’s multi-scalar dimensions and its role in shaping water sustainability knowledge to support decision-making within Canadian communities. Originating from collaborative efforts in the POLIS Project at the University of Victoria, the water soft path advocates for a paradigm shift in water management, transitioning from a supply-centric to a demand-focused approach. The water resources co-management journey in Guelph, Ontario, is thoroughly examined, encompassing local citizen engagement, NGO participation, municipal water scientists, and interactions with watershed and provincial authorities. The narrative highlights the interconnected flow of information and proposals that have shaped Guelph’s decision-making waterscape, fostering a commitment to water-smart landscaping and rewilding initiatives and positioning it as one of the pioneering water-smart cities in Canada.