Abstract
This paper describes the lessons that can be drawn from comparative case studies about mainstreaming Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) in the Netherlands and Melbourne (Australia) in order to advance and realise the societal change towards more sustainable urban water systems. Analysis of the transition pathways are used to determine the current state of the transition in urban water management in both areas. Subsequently, comparative studies for three cases in Melbourne and five cases in the Netherlands have been used to reveal the key success factors and obstacles within the transition processes. Because the focus of the case studies of this research is on individual urban development projects and not on the broader societal context, the emphasis of this paper is on the micro level (niches) and meso level (regimes) of the urban water management systems. It can be concluded that the transitions in Melbourne and the Netherlands have followed similar pathways, which have currently resulted in a similar state of both transitions. The comparative case studies that have been conducted within these settings have also resulted in similar key elements that act as enabling or disabling factors for advancing WSUD in Melbourne and the Netherlands.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 11th International Conference on Urban Drainage |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |