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.
ENDS
For further information please contact Sarah Harrison, on behalf of the Landscape Institute, on
07768 372892 or email sarah@sarahharrisonpr.com
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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
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AECOM is a multi-disciplinary consultancy applying water sensitive urban design to create
better environments
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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.