Capacity building for WSUD implementation

This chapter discusses the need, theory, and practice of building capacity across all industries associated with water sensitive urban design (WSUD). Capacity building programs were developed on the premise that, in designing, building, and maintaining WSUD assets, specific entities are necessary to focus on building the personal, intraorganizational and interorganizational capacity of the industry. These entities enable a faster adoption process, improve the quality of the assets constructed, and increase the life of asset. Successful capacity building results in the efficient delivery of assets, an improved return on the investment, and reduces the risk of asset failure. The chapter starts with an overview of why capacity building is necessary, and what it hopes to achieve. The chapter discusses the latest theories that underpin capacity building, and uses a case study of South Australia to follow the process of developing a business case, and implementing a capacity-building program. The chapter presents capacity building to an end, healthy cities and healthy waterways, bays, and marine environments. Finally, the chapter discusses some potential future issues that are expected to influence capacity building in the future.