Understanding Costs and Maintenance of WSUD in New Zealand

Ira, Sue; Simcock, Robyn

Abstract – Tuhinga Whakarāpopoto

Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) is often perceived as an expensive option for stormwater management in both the long and short term. This research looks at the implications of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management on the costs of WSUD and explores drivers and misconceptions around cost and maintenance. It also investigates the cost burden across the full life cycle. Based on the data received, total acquisition costs, maintenance costs, and life cycle costs were generated for a range of green infrastructure practices. Factsheets of the key factors that influence maintenance costs and tips for on-going maintenance are provided alongside checklists that can be used to undertake maintenance inspections.

Articles associated with this research – Karere Tūhono

News: Green infrastructure in water-sensitive urban design fundamental to wellbeing

27 September 2019: Urban areas typically alter landscapes from vegetated ground, which is able to absorb water, to a series of interconnected hard surfaces that result in large quantities of storm-water runoff scouring our waterways. In addition, this run-off can be polluted with contaminants such as metals, motor oil, garden pesticides, litter, and sediment. This run-off requires management, but the Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) team says this isn’t just a matter of guttering in the right place and piping the excess straight to waterways, but also aesthetically pleasing urban lay-outs that promote water re-use and enhance urban liveability and human wellbeing. >> Read More.

Other reports in this series

Afoa, E. & Brockbank, T. (2019). Te Ao Māori and Water Sensitive Urban Design. Report for Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities: Activating water sensitive urban design for healthy resilient communities (Contestable Research), 55pgs. Wellington: BBHTC.

Ira, S. & Batstone, C. (2019). An investigation of alternative funding and incentive mechanisms to support implementation of WSUD in New Zealand: Activating WSUD for healthy resilient communities. Report for Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities: Activating water sensitive urban design for healthy resilient communities (Contestable Research), 40pgs. Wellington: BBHTC.

Ira, S., Moores, J., Simcock, R., & Batstone, C. (2019). Recommendations for future research: Activating WSUD for healthy resilient communities. Report for Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities: Activating water sensitive urban design for healthy resilient communities (Contestable Research), 23pgs. Wellington: BBHTC.

Moores, J. & Batstone, C. (2019). Assessing the full benefits of WSUD: Activating WSUD for healthy resilient communities. Report for Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities: Activating water sensitive urban design for healthy resilient communities (Contestable Research), 33pgs. Wellington: BBHTC.

Moores, J., Ira, S., & Batstone, C. (2019). Study trip to Melbourne, November 2018 – Findings: Activating WSUD for healthy resilient communities. Report for Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities: Activating water sensitive urban design for healthy resilient communities (Contestable Research), 17pgs. Wellington: BBHTC.

Moores, J., Ira, S., Batstone, C. & Simcock, R. (2019). The ‘More than Water’ WSUD Assessment Tool. Report for Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities: Activating water sensitive urban design for healthy resilient communities (Contestable Research), 64pgs. Wellington: BBHTC.

Moores, J., Batstone, C., Simcock, R., & Ira, S. (2018). Activating water sensitive urban design for healthy resilient communities – Discovery phase: Results and recommendations. Report for Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities: Activating water sensitive urban design for healthy resilient communities (Contestable Research), 103pgs. Wellington: BBHTC.

Keywords – Kupu Hāngai

infrastructure; three waters; water sensitive urban design; WSUD; wastewater; storm water; run-off; water; wai

Fields of Research – Āpure Rangahau

Water Sensitive Urban Design; urban design; infrastructure management; built environment and design

 

Date – Te Wā Whakarewa

2019-07

 

Type – Te Auaha

Report

Collections – Kohinga Kaupapa
Citation – Kupu Hautoa

Ira, S. & Simcock, R. (2019). Understanding Costs and Maintenance of WSUD in New Zealand. Report for Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities Urban Wellbeing: Activating water sensitive urban design for healthy resilient communities, 71pgs. Wellington: BBHTC.

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