Raul Marino
Cities and their communities are complex and dynamic systems that constantly evolve under the burden of population, climatic and societal change (UN-Habitat. 2016). Water is central to the health of cities: access to clean water; prevention of disease from wastewater; and deal with the challenges of storms and flooding, increased by climate change (IPCC, 2018). The Australia-Indonesia Centre’s Urban Water Cluster (AIC UWC, 2016) supports the transition towards cities in which the water cycle is managed to protect and enhance the health of waterways, mitigate flood risk and create public spaces that harvest, clean and recycle water. Integrated water management will support biodiversity, public green space, healthy waterways, connected communities and sustainable social housing. Ultimately, our goal is to promote cities that integrate water sensitive planning and design to create connected, resilient, and liveable communities.
The project explored socio-institutional, infrastructure adaptation and green infrastructure pathways to a water sensitive future and applied this knowledge to four social housing neighbourhoods in Bogor (Indonesia): Pulo Geulis, Griya Katulampa, Cibinong and Sentul City. This paper described the Cluster’s Revitalisation plan for one of these neighbourhoods, Pulo Geulis, a mixed area of social housing and informal settlement located in the middle of the catchment area of the Ciliwung River. Pulo Geulis community experiences significant environmental challenges issues related to water management and sanitation, but also demonstrates great potential to become a more Water Sensitive community through the adoption of WSUD (Water Sensitive Urban Design). A comprehensive Roadmap to Revitalisation, was developed in collaboration and consultation with Pulo Geulis residents and is presented in this paper. The roadmap for the revitalisation of Pulo Geulis community and their physical environment was developed together with members of the community, local and international academics and government stakeholders to provide a clear strategy for the leapfrogging of Pulo Geulis to a more water sensitive community, increasing their resilience to risks associated with climate change. The aim of this project is the transformation of the community and their environments to reduce environmental impact, foster the local economy, integrate social housing and informal areas into the city structure and transition to a more water friendly Bogor.