URBAN FUTURES
Key
capabilities
> Water-sensitive urban design : green roofs , green walls and raingardens
> Constructed wetland design and natural wetland restoration
> Contaminated groundwater and soil bioremediation
Differentiators
> # 1 in Australia for water resources research
> More than 50 staff and 60 PhD researchers
> Multidisciplinary research centre
Key customers
> Urban water utilities > City councils > State governments
Key partnerships
> Melbourne Water > Water Research Australia
Sustainable development goals
> Good health and well-being > Quality education > Gender equality > Clean water and sanitation > Industry , innovation and infrastructure > Sustainable cities and communities > Climate action > Life below water > Life on land
UNSW Water Research Centre
Developing nature-based systems to advance smart water infrastructure , resilience and liveability in cities
Research Centre
Australia ' s urban water systems face growing challenges from population growth , urbanisation and densification , climate change , and aging infrastructure . In response , the UNSW Water Research Centre ( WRC ) is developing naturebased systems ( NBS ), such as green walls , bio-retention systems , constructed wetlands , and bio-remediation techniques . These solutions aim to make cities smarter , more resilient , and more liveable while also engaging local communities for positive societal impact .
For example , in partnership with Melbourne Water , the WRC is enhancing stormwater management , enabling more efficient and cost-effective treatment and reuse for irrigating public open spaces . The centre also explores using NBS for treating stormwater , greywater , and pre-treated wastewater , leveraging real-time monitoring and control systems to remove contaminants through decentralised systems .
The WRC ’ s work spans the development of new treatment unsw . to / wrc
technologies , modelling , laboratory research , and field trials , supported by funding from the Australian water industry , national competitive grants , and state and local governments .
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