Water Sensitive Urban Design Film Wins Sustainable Water Industry Group Award

Press release: 21 November 2013

Water sensitive urban design film wins Sustainable Water Industry Group Award

A new film, promoting the creation of ‘water sensitive cities’ as a way of addressing the major challenges of water shortage, flooding and pollution, has won a Sustainable Water Industry Group (SWIG) Award in the Communications Category. Commissioned by the Landscape Institute and CIRIA, and based on work by CIRIA, Arup and AECOM, the short animation explains the concept of Water Sensitive Design (WSUD) and argues the case for designing ‘with’ water when planning any new development. Focusing on the personal as well as professional approach to managing and designing with water the animation has been viewed nearly 10,000 times since it was released on 26 July 2013. It can be viewed by visiting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_DTnOzYTR4

WSUD is an integrated approach to managing flooding, droughts and water quality, which promotes a more rational and frugal use of water alongside the creation of beautiful and resilient places. WSUD reduces flooding, harnesses the potential of rainwater, cuts the demand for potable water and improves water quality – all measures which make water cycle management more sustainable. The film, aimed primarily at landscape architects, engineers, architects, developers and planners aims to ignite an interest in this important subject and to inspire them to acquire expertise in WSUD so they can become confident practitioners.

Speaking about the SWIG Award Sue Illman, President of the Landscape Institute, said: “Water is going to be a major problem for towns and cities in the future. The film explains brilliantly, in less than 5 minutes, how designing ‘with’ water can allow it to be integrated creatively and maximise its potential for sustainable use whilst protecting the population from shortages and flooding.”

Paul Shaffer from CIRIA said: “For WSUD to be realised in the UK, and to create great places and spaces, we need to better connect the water cycle and encourage collaboration between disciplines and communities. This project and its outputs demonstrate what can be achieved with the collaboration of professionals and associated institutions.”

The film graphics were created by AECOM design studio and the animation made by Room 60.

The Sustainable Water Industry Group (SWIG) Awards recognise extraordinary projects promoting sustainable water use. The winners were announced on Wednesday 20th November 2013. The Water Sensitive Urban Design animation was named joint winner in the Communications category alongside Nickelodeon’s Gabi camel animation, which was aimed exclusively at consumers. Visit http://www.sustainablewater.org.uk/awards to find out more.

For further information please contact Sarah Harrison, on behalf of the Landscape Institute, on 07768 372892 or email [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

 The Landscape Institute (LI) is the royal chartered body for landscape architects. It represents professionals in the UK working across planning, design and the management of urban and rural landscape  The LI campaigns to protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for public benefit  Through its advocacy programmes it champions landscape, and the landscape profession, in order to inspire great places where people want to live, work and visit

 The Landscape Institute publishes a range of materials explaining the benefits of green infrastructure – visit www.landscapeinstitute.org/gi  Visit http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/knowledge/Water/Landscapeandwater.php for more information about the Landscape Institute and water

 The Landscape Institute, in partnership with Ecobuild, and with support from the Mayor of London and London Borough of Newham, has launched ‘The Royal Docks Ideas Competition’ to find innovative, ‘water sensitive’ design proposals that would transform London’s Royal Docks into a multi-functional, ‘liveable’ space. Visit www.landscapeinstitute.org/royaldocks to find out more

 CIRIA is the construction industry research and information association. It is an independent, not-for-profit, member-based research organisation that exists to champion performance improvement in construction. For more information visit: www.ciria.org.

 CIRIA’s WSUD scoping study Creating water sensitive places – scoping the potential for Water Sensitive Urban Design in the UK together with the “ideas booklet” Water Sensitive Urban Design in the UK – ideas for built environment practitioners provides details of the drivers, benefits and vision of WSUD in the UK. The outputs can be found from: www.wsud.co.uk

 CIRIA’s WSUD funders include: ACO, Natural Resources Wales, Defra, Polypipe, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Richard Allitt Associates, Environmental Gain, Scottish Water, Formpave, South West Water, Glasgow City Council, Thames Water, Halcrow, United Utilities, Hydro International, Wessex Water, Jeremy Benn Associates and E Water, Yorkshire Water and Micro Drainage  AECOM is a multi-disciplinary consultancy applying water sensitive urban design to create better environments

 Room 60 create fresh and engaging animation, visualisation and graphic design for architecture, landscape and the environment. It is a creative team with a background in landscape architecture and a passion for communicating with hard to reach audiences, often producing short animations that deliver a core message, translating complex information into an understandable form.