Participatory and Inclusive Water Sensitive Urban Design for Sustainability and Resilience (PARIWAR)
Resource Partners: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Partners: WRI India , McGregor Coxwell , Mahilla Housing Trust
Duration: April 2021 - June 2025
About
PARIWAR is an urban water initiative aimed at creating an enabling environment for Water-Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) in Delhi. A concept popularised in Australia, WSUD integrates the urban water cycle — including stormwater, groundwater, wastewater management, and water supply — into urban design to minimise environmental degradation and improve aesthetic and recreational value.
Conducted in association with Australian experts, the project takes a two-pronged approach: designing and implementing water-sensitive demonstration projects in two disadvantaged communities in West Delhi — Bakkarwala Resettlement Colony and Mubarakpur Dabas Urban Village — and establishing the Delhi Water Forum (DWF), a city-wide, multi-stakeholder body that brings together diverse voices to inform policy decisions for enhancing water security through the WSUD philosophy.
At the city level, the DWF is a first-of-its-kind platform in India dedicated to achieving water security through WSUD, with both government and non-government members onboarded. At the community level, Community Water Forums (CWFs) have been established in Bakkarwala and Mubarakpur Dabas, as well as in surrounding unauthorised colonies, serving as a platform for convergence among local NGOs, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Citizen Action Groups (CAGs), and civic authorities. These forums bridge the gap between disadvantaged communities and local governance while building community capacity through a community-led tree census, skills training in solid waste management, and school-level awareness and monitoring programs.
124
meetings with the water management line agencies in Delhi
40+
meetings of Community Water Forums in Bakkarwala and Mubarakpur Dabas
12+
Delhi Water Forum meetings
Events
Delhi Water Forum Launch Ceremony
Silver Oak Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
January 2023 - January 2023
<p dir="ltr">The launch of the Delhi Water Forum marked a pivotal step towards institutionalising a multi-stakeholder platform for urban water governance in Delhi. Bringing together over 160 participants from government agencies, academia, industry, civil society organisations, media, and community groups, the event initiated critical dialogue on transitioning the city from being water-vulnerable to water-sensitive.</p><p dir="ltr">The programme featured thematic panel discussions with both non-government and government stakeholders on enabling collaborative action, strengthening community participation, and creating an institutional environment to advance integrated water management. An exhibition showcasing innovative technologies and solutions for urban water security complemented these deliberations. The launch concluded with a collective declaration by participants to work together towards building a resilient, coordinated, and water-sensitive future for Delhi, laying the foundation for sustained engagement, knowledge exchange, and policy convergence.</p>
SAWASI Regional Workshop
Bangkok, Thailand
August 2023 - August 2023
<p dir="ltr">The SAWASI Regional Workshop convened policymakers, practitioners, and sector experts from India, Australia, Pakistan, and Nepal to exchange knowledge and experiences on advancing water-sensitive urban development and governance. Through country presentations and technical deliberations, participants reflected on shared urban water challenges such as groundwater stress, fragmented institutional arrangements, climate risks, and the need for integrated planning approaches.</p><p dir="ltr">The workshop highlighted emerging solutions, including multi-stakeholder water forums, community engagement mechanisms, aquifer management initiatives, and nature-based interventions, while also emphasising the importance of reliable data, cross-learning, and regional collaboration. The discussions helped strengthen a common understanding of how cities can transition from conventional supply-driven approaches to more resilient, participatory, and water-sensitive urban water management pathways.</p>
Bakkarwala Water Forum – Community Tree Census Initiative
Bakkarwala Resettlement Colony, West Delhi
July 2024 - July 2024
<p>Under the Australia–India Water Security Initiative (AIWASI), the Bakkarwala Water Forum facilitated a community-led tree census and plantation planning process to strengthen urban environmental resilience and water sensitivity. The initiative engaged local residents, youth volunteers, technical experts, and officials from agencies such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in documenting existing green cover, identifying plantation gaps, and co-creating a neighbourhood greening strategy.</p><p>Through participatory workshops, on-ground tree enumeration using mobile tools, focus group discussions, and a community plantation drive, the initiative built a local tree inventory, enhanced awareness on the ecological and water benefits of native species, and fostered shared stewardship of public green spaces. The process laid the foundation for collaborative urban greening and data-driven planning, positioning the community as an active partner in shaping a more resilient, water-sensitive neighbourhood.</p>
Mubarakpur Dabas Water Forum – Community-led Waste Management
Community Hall, Mubarakpur Dabas, Delhi
February 2025 - February 2025
<p dir="ltr">Under the Australia–India Water Security Initiative (AIWASI), the Mubarakpur Dabas Water Forum convened a community-led engagement focused on sustainable waste management and neighbourhood environmental action. The meeting brought together residents, government stakeholders, and technical partners to build awareness and practical skills around waste segregation, composting, recycling, and reuse.</p><p dir="ltr">A hands-on skill-building session on “Transforming Waste to Wealth,” facilitated by Eco Wings, enabled community members to exchange recyclable waste, learn composting techniques, and explore livelihood opportunities through upcycling. Household composting kits were distributed to support the adoption of decentralised waste management practices, encouraging residents to convert organic waste into manure for local greening efforts.</p><p dir="ltr">Alongside waste management discussions, participants collectively reflected on neighbourhood plantation needs and environmental challenges, reinforcing community ownership, behavioural change, and collaborative pathways for creating a cleaner, greener, and more water-sensitive Mubarakpur Dabas.</p>
The Australia-India Water Security Initiative was a pioneering effort to adapt water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) approaches from Australian cities to the complex realities of Delhi’s dense and unplanned urban landscape. The initiative addressed a long-standing governance gap by establishing two levels of fora, at the community and the city level, that brought together government agencies, non-government stakeholders, practitioners, and citizens. This has enabled sustained dialogue, improved institutional coordination, and created a shared mandate for advancing water-sensitive planning and management in Delhi.
Know More
