Building Type, Housing Density, and Water Use: Denver Water Data and Agent‐Based Simulations

Abstract

Efficiency of irrigation may prove to be as effective, if not more, at reducing residential water demand as increasing housing density.

Featured Collection Introduction: “Connecting Land and Water for Healthy Communities”

“…They also find regional differences in stormwater professionals' decision making related to water quality (eastern states) vs. water quantity (western states) and potentials for green infrastructure solutions to more effectively help them link land and water. Although Sampson et al (2022) found that incremental increases in residential density is one way to improve urban water efficiency, policies that reduce outdoor irrigation may have more success at reducing outdoor water demand than policies purely focused on increasing residential densities. They conclude that variations that relate to building type and specific density configurations are important contextual complexities to consider in understanding and managing urban water demand and outdoor water efficiency.…”

“…Turner et al ( 2022) also describe differences in scale between local ordinances, which can better integrate water and land use, vs. federal level regulations like the Clean Water Act that focus only on water quality. Sampson et al (2022) look at city policies and water demand by examining a range of neighborhood housing typologies (essentially different scales of housing density) and conducting scenario planning analyses across the Denver Water service area. Wang and Vivoni (2022) employ regional scenario modeling to investigate the implications of climate and land use and land cover for future irrigation water demand in different cities, irrigation districts, and counties in central Arizona as well as at the regional scale.…”

“…The authors remind us that even looking at two issues in an integrated way ignores the true complexity of the issues at hand. Sampson et al (2022) and Wang and Vivoni's (2022) manuscripts provide focused examinations of water and land use interactions, which are important pieces of the puzzle in terms of water conservation and use. Yet, each manuscript also provides important insights through recognition and analysis of additional components that add complexity.…”

“…Yet, each manuscript also provides important insights through recognition and analysis of additional components that add complexity. Sampson et al (2022) simulate the effects of human activity (building types where households choose to live) and other behavioral and technological changes (gains in irrigation efficiency) in addition to increasing housing density on future water demand. Wang and Vivoni's (2022) inclusion of climate change effects as well as differing modes of future land change related to urban growth shows how differences in irrigation water use can become even more pronounced in the future.…”

“…Finally, the authors of the manuscripts and the associate editors of this featured collection suggest the following topics to consider exploring and using in future research and practice. We should strive to create comprehensive open-source data and use exploratory processes and data-driven tools to examine complex issues so that we can learn from each other and provide better decision support, the value of which is illustrated in the articles by Sampson et al (2022) and Wang and Vivoni (2022). The need to determine metrics to examine water outcome goals and to use these metrics to understand success over time across case studies and contexts was emphasized by Stoker et al (2022) and suggested in various ways throughout this collection.…”