Urban household uptake of water-sensitive urban design measures in the context of an applied water demand management study

Abstract

Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) requires widespread household participation to achieve resilient urban water systems. Yet, surveys on de facto and intended uptake of WSUD measures are limited in developing countries. This article determines uptake and predictors of rainwater harvesting, permeable paving and greywater reuse systems across different settlement types in the Gauteng city region of South Africa. Data were collected as part of an applied water demand management study, in which uptake was conceptualised as a form of conservation using an integrated model of household water consumption. Current and intended uptake of especially rainwater harvesting was noticeable among water-saving suburban households with tertiary education, but less so among township households. Predictors of conservation intention otherwise explained intended uptake to a limited extent. Three directions for more systematic research were identified to help integrate a growing, but as yet fragmented, body of research on both the nature and facilitation of uptake.