The polyurethane (PU) structure is modified with dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide; poly[IPA]) to prepare hydrophilic temperature-dependent PU that is investigated with reference to the degree of crosslinking, thermal properties of soft segment, tensile and shape memory performance, hydrophilic conversion of surface, and temperature-dependent water swelling and water vapor permeability (WVP). The thermal properties of soft segment (melting, crystallization, and glass transition) are significantly affected by poly(IPA). Breaking tensile stress also increases with increasing IPA monomer content due to crosslinking effect but breaking tensile strain does not significantly decrease with increasing IPA monomer content. Shape recovery capability at 10 degrees C steeply inclines to over 90% from 46.9% for unmodified PU by the grafting of poly(IPA), whereas shape retention at -25 degrees C does not decrease below 90% with the increase in IPA content. Poly(IPA)-grafted PU can display temperature-dependent control of water swelling and WVP due to transformation of the grafted poly(IPA) depending on the surrounding temperature. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1719-1728 2019. (c) 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers