The Australia-India Water Security Initiative Community Demonstration Project (AIWASI CDP) aims to improve water security and liveability conditions for two disadvantaged communities in Delhi in line with Water Sensitive City (WSC) and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles.

This initiative, with its focus on women and girls, involves Demonstration of community-level vision, priorities and plans. It offers joint accountability mechanisms and implementation of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) pilot Demonstration projects through participatory decision-making processes involving all major stakeholders.

The project is a ‘living laboratory’ that will showcase sustainable triple bottom line outcomes – environment, social amenity, security and well-being, and economics.

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Ambition

Transitioning two disadvantaged communities in Delhi along the continuum towards a water sensitive city by 2025.

Why Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)?

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is an approach to planning and designing urban areas to manage the water balance, enhance water quality, conserve water (rainwater and stormwater) and recycle water.

KNOW MORE

 Circular and Innovative Close-loop Systems

Grey water recycling and storm water harvesting
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 Circular and Innovative Close-loop Systems

Grey water recycling and storm water harvesting

 Enhance Blue-Green Habitats and Biodiversity

Rain gardens, green roofs and ponds

 Inclusive and Healthy Place-making

Playgrounds, urban greens and drainfront demonstration

 Microclimate Control

Urban forests, reilded streets and parks

 Urban Water Resilience

Bioswales, constructed wetlands and waterbody rejuvenation

 Economically Productive Landscapes

Community gardens and urban farming
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Department of foreign affairs and trade / Flickr

AIWASI CDP as a Living Laboratory

Informed by the barriers for universal and equitable access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) (SDG 6) and healthy space (SDG 11) service provisions that currently exist in Delhi, AIWASI CDP will undertake and deliver two WSUD demonstration projects. The project will act as a ‘living laboratory’ with multiple educational, social and environmental benefits such as providing water literacy for students and the community, creation of green spaces, improved air quality from blue-green infrastructure and rejuvenation of degraded water bodies and aquifers.

Location

New Delhi also known as the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCTD) is spread over an area of 1,484 sq. km. with a population of nearly 17 million people (as per India’s Census 2011).

Delhi is known as the ‘city of mini cities’ with various layers added over time. Today, when we look at Delhi with an urban lens, it comprises various typologies of housing settlements each having a unique character, role and issue. The challenges posed by exponential increase in urbanization, climate change and weak water infrastructure greatly impacts the informal and low-income settlements. Such settlements also face water logging and unhealthy spaces.

The draft Master Plan for Delhi (2021 to 2041) recommends an integrated water management approach that includes demonstration of water supply, sewerage and drainage sectors. AIWASI CDP can help Delhi come closer to achieving urban water resilience.

About the Partnership

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is the Lead Organisation, with three primary consortium partners supporting WRI in the delivery of the project. The primary consortium partners include McGregor Coxall (McGC), National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (MHT) India. The consortium has extensive project experience in India, Australia and globally, and is equipped with state-of-the-practice knowledge, institutional and governance, capacity building strengths, and expertise in the design and delivery of WSUD projects.

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