Impacts of densification on municipal water infrastructure

Urban infrastructure, already aging, is facing increasing pressure due to urban densification and the impacts of climate change. While densification helps limit urban sprawl and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it nevertheless intensifies demand on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater management networks. At the same time, climate change is exacerbating these challenges by affecting the availability of water resources and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. To ensure the sustainability and resilience of infrastructure, it is essential to explore alternative solutions that optimize capacity without requiring complete replacement.

This research project aims to bridge the gap between existing studies on the challenges of urban densification and concrete solutions to mitigate its impacts on water infrastructure. Its objective is to develop practical tools tailored to municipalities of all sizes, enabling them to better manage the effects of densification in the context of climate change.