scholarly journals Chinese and Greek ancient urban hydro-technologies: similarities and differences

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2208-2223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Yun Zheng ◽  
A. N. Angelakis

Abstract The ancient civilizations of China and Greece, in the east and the west, have both subsequently deeply influenced other civilizations, regionally and across the world. Water management played a significant role in both civilizations and evidence demonstrates that many principles and technologies were generated by them, throughout both civilizations' long histories. As a result, they significantly influenced the ancient world broadly, some of which are still functioning up till this present time. This study comprises the following: methodology, hydrogeology, aqueducts and water impounds, water and wastewater mains, runoff management, agricultural irrigation, as well as the use of water for recreation purposes. Usually, urban hydro-technologies reflect a progressive situation in water management. Thus, both civilizations have also achieved urban water management. Therefore, for the purpose of understanding the role of water management in ancient civilizations and their similarities and differences beyond their geography, a comparison of urban hydro-technologies was selectively developed through the long history of the ancient Chinese and Greek civilizations, which also features the basic principle of water management in the human societies beyond these two civilizations.

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 618-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Angelakis ◽  
D. S. Spyridakis

The evolution of urban water management in ancient Greece begins in Crete during the Middle Bronze and the beginning of the Late Bronze Ages (ca. 2000–1500 B.C.) when many remarkable developments occurred in several stages as Minoan civilization flourished on the island. One of its salient characteristics was the architectural and hydraulic function of its water supply and sewerage systems in the Minoan Palaces and several other settlements. These technologies, though they do not give a complete picture of water supply and wastewater and storm water technologies in ancient Greece, indicate nevertheless that such technologies have been used in Greece since prehistoric times. Minoan water and wastewater technologies were diffused to the Greek mainland in the subsequent phases of Greek civilization, i.e. in the Mycenaean, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. The scope of this article is the presentation of the most characteristic forms of ancient hydraulic works and related technologies and their uses in past Greek civilizations.


2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (10) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.G. Fane ◽  
S.A. Fane

Decentralized wastewater treatment has the potential to provide sanitation that meets criteria for sustainable urban water management in a manner that is less resource intensive and more cost effective than centralized approaches. It can facilitate water reuse and nutrient recovery and can potentially reduce the ecological risks of wastewater system failure and the community health risk in a wastewater reuse scheme. This paper examines the potential role of membrane technology in sustainable decentralized sanitation. It is argued that the combination of membrane technology within decentralized systems can satisfy many of the criteria for sustainable urban water management. In particular, the role of membranes as a dependable barrier in the wastewater treatment process can increase system reliability as well as lowering the latent risks due to wastewater reuse. The modular nature of membranes will allow plant size to range from single dwellings, through clusters to suburb size. It is concluded that realization of the potential for membrane-based technologies in decentralized wastewater treatment will require some progress both technically and institutionally. The areas where advances are necessary are outlined.


2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stewart Burn ◽  
Shiroma Maheepala ◽  
Ashok Sharma

Cities worldwide are challenged by a number of urban water issues associated with climate change, population growth and the associated water scarcity, wastewater flows and stormwater run-off. To address these problems decentralised solutions are increasingly being considered by water authorities, and integrated urban water management (IUWM) has emerged as a potential solution to most of these urban water challenges, and as the key to providing solutions incorporating decentralised concepts at a city wide scale. To incorporate decentralised options, there is a need to understand their performance and their impact on a city's total water cycle under alternative water and land management options. This includes changes to flow, nutrient and sediment regimes, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts on rivers, aquifers and estuaries. Application of the IUWM approach to large cities demands revisiting the fundamental role of water system design in sustainable city development. This paper uses the extended urban metabolism model (EUMM) to expand a logical definition for the aims of IUWM, and discusses the role of decentralised systems in IUWM and how IUWM principles can be incorporated into urban water planning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-93
Author(s):  
Marie Leth Meilvang

This article explores via the concept of professional jurisdiction how engineers shape and maintain authority in practice, and points to the important role of specific professional documents in this practice. Drawing on the sociology of conventions, the article shows how the documents work as standardized and ‘invested’ forms that help professional actors coordinate internally in the profession, as well as compromise, maintain boundaries and forge alliances with actors outside the profession. Empirically, the article analyses historic documents, called writings, from a professional committee under the Danish Society of Engineers, and shows how these documents have helped engineers shape and maintain authority over the Danish field of urban water management.


2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Ujang ◽  
C. Buckley

This paper summarises the paper presentation sessions at the Conference, as well giving insights on the issues related to developing countries. It also discusses the present status of practice and research on water and wastewater management, and projected future scenario based not only on the papers presented in the Conference, but also on other sources. The strategy is presented to overcome many problems in developing countries such as rapid urbanization, industrialization, population growth, financial and institutional problems and, depleting water resources. The strategy consists of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM), cleaner industrial production, waste minimisation and financial arrangements.


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