Water for Cities

The opening of this chapter outlines the fundamental role of water management in urban design and resilience, focusing on the integration of water systems within contemporary urban spatial frameworks. It introduces comprehensive design principles, emphasising synergy and collaborative urban water management. The subsequent discussion focuses on the design of water-oriented cities, with a particular emphasis on water-sensitive planning and designs. It highlights those key global initiatives, such as the Australia Water-Sensitive Cities, the Sponge Cities of China, the ABC Waters of Singapore, and the Low-Impact Development strategies of the United States, demonstrating how “water resilience” drives broader urban resilience. A comparative study of successful urban water restoration projects, including the Australian Bannister Creek living stream, the Dasha River Ecological Corridor in Shenzhen, the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in Singapore, and the Mill River Park and Greenway in the United States, offers valuable lessons in ecological integration. The discussion then shifts to the vulnerabilities of urbanisation and the importance of resilient urban water design through green infrastructure and coordinated management. The final section of the chapter addresses the challenges often overlooked in water environments and advocates for the collaborative advancement of resilience strategies that bridge urban and its fringe areas. The conclusion reflects on the future of urban and rural water management, suggesting directions for sustainable and integrated water design across all landscapes.