Integrating Science and Policy for Water-Sensitive Urban Planning in Climate-Impacted Cities

Urban areas, particularly in developing countries, are increasingly grappling with significant water management challenges exacerbated by climate change. The rapid urbanization and the growing scarcity of water resources necessitate a shift towards water-sensitive urban planning. However, there is a notable gap in demand-driven interdisciplinary research addressing these coupled challenges, compounded by a breakdown in science-policy communication. This has led to unsustainable urban development that often overlooks the critical role of urban water in the planning process. Recent studies have highlighted the urgent need for integrating scientific research into urban water management to foster sustainable and resilient urban environments. Despite these findings, there remains a lack of comprehensive approaches that bridge the gap between research and policy, underscoring the need for better investigation in this field.

This research topic aims to comprehensively address the complexities of water-sensitive urban planning in the context of climate change. The primary objectives are to lay a solid foundation for science-policy coordination and to promote an evidence-based approach to urban water management. By synthesizing cutting-edge research findings, this collection seeks to empower policymakers with the knowledge and tools necessary to formulate and implement strategies that effectively mitigate the impacts of climate change on urban water systems. The overarching goal is to advance scientific knowledge while establishing a robust basis for coordinated, evidence-based decision-making in urban water management.

To gather further insights into the scope of water-sensitive urban planning and development, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Water-Sensitive Urban Planning: Innovative strategies, integrated planning, sustainable development.
- Urban Water Management: Advanced technologies, holistic water management, sustainable practices.
- Role of Modeling in Promoting Water-Sensitive Resilience Planning: Predictive modeling, scenario analysis, decision support.
- Data and Urban Water Governance: Data-driven decision-making, stakeholder engagement, policy implementation.
- Basin Scale Planning: Interconnected water systems, integrated basin planning, urban hydrology.
- Nature-Based Approach to Urban Water Management: Green infrastructure, ecosystem services, nature-based solutions.
- Governance of Urban Water: Policy enforcement, stakeholder collaboration, urban water policy.
- Urban Water and Climate Change: Climate change adaptation, mitigation strategies, urban water resilience.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Urban resilience, Water-sensitive planning, Climate change, Science-policy coordination, Sustainable development, Water management, Modeling, Data governance, Basin planning, Nature- based solutions, Urban governance.

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.