After decades of being banished from residential areas, water is now becoming an increasingly significant feature in urban design. Whether it is the use of rainwater or the integration of natural water courses into the built environment, the incorporation of water elements in urban areas for climatic purposes or the creation of oases of tranquility or drama such as pools or fountains - all these issues are not only encountering renewed interest among professionals, but they are also meeting with appreciation from the general public. Here the aspects of water as an architectural element are considered, with specialists examining its artistic potential, its use outdoors, or its role in environmental technology. 33 international projects are documented, amongst them the water management for Potsdamer Platz, Berlin, the landscaping in Harlemville, near New York, the water feature in Townsquare Kogorah, Sydney, the roof terrace for Chicago City Hall, and the landscape planning for the Solar City near Linz.