Author(s)

M. I. Rodríguez, M. M. Cuevas, F. Huertas, G. Martínez, B. Moreno

Abstract

Concern about integrated water management in cities has been present in different forms in urban planning since the beginning of the explosion of cities in the late 18th century. The rapid growth of industrial cities in the late 18th century meant development was necessary to improve transit. This urbanization meant that the underground channelling of rainwater and sewage and the impermeabilization of the streets in order for them to cope with increasing circulation. These two principles were present in the development of urban services during the 19th and 20th centuries but they have also been questioned by the latest planning trends such as “Urban Ecology” or “Ecological Urbanism”. They demand more sustainable urban design in which the natural water flow is recovered. “Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems” were created in the nineties as a new model of sustainable storm- water management. They have made it possible to integrate water in urban processes, advancing to “Water Sensitive Urban Design.” This new working method has not been developed yet, so it is necessary to establish methodologies that help planners to plan water sensitive cities. The definition of indicators that assess the integration of water in urban design is the main goal of this research. It will be necessary to define a set of indicators to reflect essential concepts that have to be incorporated into Water Sensitive Urban Design.

Keywords

indicator, urban planning, water sensitive urban design, sustainable urban drainage systems, SUDS