Water sensitive urban design practices in Indian cities: a critical review

Rapid urbanization and climate change have intensified challenges related to urban water management. Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) represents an innovative approach for managing urban water resources, integrating sustainable water management practices within urban planning. This systematic review focuses on the state of WSUD research in India both at a house-hold scale to a catchment or community scale. Despite being in the early stages of WSUD implementation, India’s research highlights key themes, methodologies, and outcomes in this domain. Majority of the literatures reviewed the WSUD measures that is being practised in India from the early 19th century, which include rainwater harvesting methods, stormwater diversions, designing of permeable pavements, sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) etc. A considerable amount of work discusses about the improvements found in various quality and quantity-based parameters before and after WSUD implementation. The findings provide a detailed understanding of WSUD implementation and its applications, aiming to inform policymakers, practitioners, and researchers engaged in sustainable urban water management.