The uptake of buildings employing cross-laminated timber (CLT) assemblies and designed to Passivhaus standard has accelerated internationally over the past two decades due to several factors including responses to the climate crisis by decarbonising the building stock. Structural CLT technology and the Passivhaus certification both show measurable benefits in reducing energy consumption, while contributing to durability and indoor comfort. However, there is a general lack of evidence to support a fast uptake of these technologies in Australia. This paper responds to the compelling need of providing quantitative data and adoption strategies; it explores their combined application as a potential pathway for climate-appropriate design of energy-efficient and durable mass timber envelope solutions for subtropical and tropical Australian climates. Hygrothermal risk assessments of interstitial condensation and mould growth of CLT wall assemblies inform best-practice design of mass timber buildings in hot and humid climates. This research found that the durability of mass timber buildings located in hot and humid climates may benefit from implementing the Passivhaus standard to manage interior conditions. The findings also suggested that climate-specific design of the wall assembly is critical for mass timber buildings, in conjunction with excellent stormwater management practices during construction and corrosion protection for metallic fasteners.

Historically, urbanisation has often followed an extractivist model, treating water as a commodifiable resource to be managed by technocratic, hard-infrastructure systems rather than as a vital common good essential for socio-ecological resilience. This approach has diminished water’s role in fostering equitable, liveable, and sustainable urban environments. This paper challenges this paradigm by reclaiming water as a central element in urban design and governance, advocating for a Right to Planetary Water that ensures spatial justice and climate resilience. Using the middle-ring suburb of Greenslopes in Brisbane, Australia, as a case study, this research examines how water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) can transform conventional infill development. The study employs a multidisciplinary methodology, combining typological analysis with environmental modelling using the Site-scale Urban Water Mass Balance Assessment (SUWMBA) tool to evaluate 44 design typologies and 352 technology configurations. This process was integrated with a collaborative design workshop involving local architectural practices to develop precinct-scale, alternative scenarios. The key finding demonstrates that precinct-scale, water-sensitive redevelopment significantly outperforms standard business-as-usual infill. The alternative scenarios reduced stormwater runoff by over 25%, decreased potable water demand per capita by nearly 40%, mitigated urban heat, and increased evapotranspiration by reclaiming land for public blue-green spaces—all while achieving higher housing densities and enhancing water relationality. The research concludes that realising these benefits requires a fundamental shift in planning policy away from fragmented zoning, particularly in Character Residential areas, towards enabling integrated, precinct-scale renewal. By centring ecological processes and community values, this approach operationalises the Right to Water, framing it not just as an environmental necessity but as a foundation for spatial justice, cultural recognition, and the creation of resilient blue-green systems that function not merely as infrastructure, but as embodiments of communal spaces of hope—enacting the inhabitant’s right to appropriation and enjoyment.

Urban growth in Indonesia including in the Kedungsepur Metropolitan Area (MA), has not only driven significant economic and social development [1] but also has intensified environmental pressures. This growth has particularly contributed to water-related challenges such as water scarcity, pollution, and disasters like floods and droughts. Despite ongoing water infrastructure development, flooding continues to be a persistent problem in Kedungsepur [2]. Blue Green Infrastructure (BGI), which integrates ecological systems with water management, offers a holistic approach to restoring the natural water cycle and enhancing urban resilience [3]. Beyond its environmental benefit such as flood mitigation, water purification, and biodiversity conservation, BGI also supports the human right to safe, accessible water and delivers social and cultural value by creating inclusive public spaces, preserving local heritage, and fostering community well-being [4]. However, in Indonesia, there is lack of awareness, knowledge, and education among policymakers, local authorities, and communities and other stakeholders regarding the implementation of BGI [5]. This underscores the need for context-sensitive frameworks that recognise water not only as a source but also as a fundamental human right and cultural asset. The purpose of this article is to systematically review the literature on BGI to inform a research project which looks at how BGI can solve water issues, advance the right to water, and enhance social and cultural well-being in Kedungsepur. The systematic literature review (SLR) presented here consists of two parts: the first part aims at providing a comprehensive BGI definition based on international studies, while the second one looks at awareness and implementation of BGI in Indonesia specifically through the selection of Indonesian studies. Both parts of the SLR were developed following the steps outlined in the PRISMA framework, employing specific keywords for selecting relevant studies from databases such as Web of Science, EBSCOhost, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The SLR considered a total of 86 documents, comprising 59 global articles in English and 27 publications about Indonesia (both in English and Indonesia language). The SLR findings provide an overview of BGI definitions globally and specifically in Indonesia, criteria and barriers to the implementation of BGI strategies, as well as examples of how this approach has been applied in the country.