example, she says that stormwater is frequently the responsibility of transport departments, which aim to remove water from roads as quickly as possible. Yet, when considered solely as a hazard, opportunities to repurpose stormwater into urban greening or water supply through nature-based solutions are lost.

“If we want to integrate that into a supply system, then you can’t manage it in a separate department,” she stresses.

The way forward, Carden argues, is to develop an integrated urban planning framework and create incentives for developers, residents, and industry to adopt sustainable practices.

“How do we bring in alternative financing mechanisms to ensure that lower-income residents can get supported through stewardship actions, but also that municipalities can consider doing things differently?” she asks.

The answer lies in public-private partnerships, which can provide both funding and co-governance, enabling shared responsibility for maintaining and enhancing water systems.

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Data as the backbone of urban water resilience

Robust data is vital for adaptive management. Carden indicates two distinct categories of monitoring: climate resilience and water conservation. For climate resilience, long-term climate datasets are key.

“If you want to track climate resilience, you’ve got to look at climate data itself—tracking trends in things like rainfall, in temperature change, trying to understand the historical trends.”

The integrated planning framework must also measure infrastructure preparedness and community vulnerability to hazards such as floods or droughts.

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On water conservation, data should focus on consumption and efficiency. “This is about water access, the amount of water that people use, understanding different contexts, and why we use different volumes of water, and how much is lost to leaks,” Carden explains.

Leaks, a primary source of water loss, make monitoring non-revenue-water essential. Tracking wastewater reuse and green space in cities also helps guide strategies to reduce demand and improve efficiency.

Expanding tools for monitoring and public participation

Modern tools such as Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing offer valuable spatial insights, but Carden highlights the growing importance of community-driven monitoring. “Citizen science—asking residents to do the monitoring of water quality and flood preparedness—becomes important in this space,” she says.

This public participation expands data collection while building community ownership, trust, and awareness. Residents can help identify flooding hotspots, report leaks, or track stream health, strengthening resilience at the local level.

Ultimately, urban water planning must balance ecological functionality with community needs. Inclusive engagement allows municipalities to incorporate indigenous knowledge and reinforce existing practices, especially in semi-urban areas.

However, Carden cautions against assuming equal capacity for stewardship. Wealthier communities may self-organise to manage green infrastructure, while low-income households require additional support to participate.

By integrating planning, data, and inclusive governance, cities can create water systems that are resilient, equitable, and responsive to the pressures of climate change and urban growth. ESI