scholarly journals Situations, challenges and strategies of urban water management in Beijing under rapid urbanization effect

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-127
Author(s):  
Wen Liu ◽  
Weiping Chen ◽  
Qi Feng ◽  
Ravinesh C. Deo

Abstract As the capital and a major political hub for China, Beijing has undergone a rapid urbanization effect with significant population growth in recent years. At the same time, Beijing has also been suffering from severe water problems such as water scarcity, urban flooding and other issues related to water pollution. These have increasingly generated severe water problems and stymied the pace and scope of sustainable urban development. The critical challenges faced by water resource administrations pertains to the issues of sustainable management of water resources and the relevant actions to be put in place in order to address these water-related problems. In this study, the current water situation of Beijing is described in great detail focusing on water resource amounts, water supply, water consumption and water pollution changes analyzed from historical to recent years. The challenges of Beijing urban water management systems are also analyzed to offer possible solutions in light of the current trends. Finally, a number of useful strategies and action-oriented measures are provided for Beijing's urban water resource administration to assist them in overcoming the current water management challenges and for them to move towards a more sustainable developmental city.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Hawxwell ◽  
Joerg Knieling

<p>Diverse concepts have emerged in recent decades which (at least in their rhetoric) aim to instigate processes that make cities more resilient to climate change and support more sustainable urban development (Coaffee and Lee 2016; Hodson and Marvin 2017). With regards to urban water management, the Water-Sensitive City (WSC) is one such concept that promotes urban water planning to “protect, maintain and enhance the multiple benefits and services of the total urban water cycle that are highly valued by society” (Wong and Brown 2009, 674). The WSC, along with related integrated urban water management concepts have seen growing scholarly attention in recent years (see e.g. Fletcher et al. 2015). The emergence of such concepts reflects the growing demand for more sophisticated and integrated understanding and management of urban water systems. Such an ambitious model represents a broadening of the competencies and responsibilities of practitioners involved in water management and improved coordination with other urban sectors. Thus, such changes (must) typically coincide with changes amongst actors engaged directly or indirectly in water management, along with the prevailing institutional arrangements that govern their activities.</p> <p>Yet very little is known about processes of institutionalisation of such concepts within socio-technical regimes such as those that characterise urban water systems (Fuenfschilling and Truffer 2014). This paper aims to map processes of institutionalisation of concepts associated with the Water-Sensitive City amongst practitioners working in urban water management related fields in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. The research explores changes in the institutional arrangements between 1990 and 2020.</p> <p><strong>References</strong></p> <p>Coaffee, J., and P. Lee. 2016. <em>Urban Resilience:</em> <em>Planning for Risk, Crisis and Uncertainty</em>. Macmillan International Higher Education.</p> <p>Fletcher, T. D., W. Shuster, W. F. Hunt, R. Ashley, D. Butler, S. Arthur, S. Trowsdale, et al. 2015. ‘SUDS, LID, BMPs, WSUD and More – The Evolution and Application of Terminology Surrounding Urban Drainage’. <em>Urban Water Journal</em> 12 (7): 525–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/1573062X.2014.916314.</p> <p>Fuenfschilling, L., and B. Truffer. 2014. ‘The Structuration of Socio-Technical Regimes - Conceptual Foundations from Institutional Theory’. <em>Research Policy</em> 43 (4): 772–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2013.10.010.</p> <p>Hodson, M., and S. Marvin. 2017. ‘Intensifying or Transforming Sustainable Cities? Fragmented Logics of Urban Environmentalism’. <em>Local Environment</em> 22 (sup1): 8–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2017.1306498.</p> <p>Wong, T. H. F., and R. R. Brown. 2009. ‘The Water Sensitive City: Principles for Practice’. <em>Water Science and Technology</em> 60 (3): 673–82. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2009.436.</p> <p> </p>


2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Binning ◽  
M.B. Hauger ◽  
M. Rygaard ◽  
A.M. Eilersen ◽  
H.J. Albrechtsen

Copenhagen currently relies on imported groundwater for its drinking water supply, but must become less reliant on external resources in future. A set of 9 scenarios for future water supply and waste water management are developed with the aim of making Copenhagen’s water supply entirely self sufficient. The scenarios are based on an analysis of current and past societal perceptions, mega trends and a catalogue of world’s best practice in urban water management. An initial screening of the scenarios is conducted by comparing them with a reference scenario (the current water supply) for the most important criteria. Perceptions, mega trends and evaluation criteria were identified by a stakeholder workshop. The scenarios that appear most promising are: central recirculation delivering water from a desalination and recycled grey water plant; a green city that relies on rainwater for supply and wastewater is separated and treated locally; a market driven water supply delivering various qualities of water and having separating sewage streams; and a local technological society where high tech treatment is used to produce and treat water within a neighbourhood.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
VLADUT-SEVERIAN IACOB

The study aims to point out the features of cities and sustainable urban development, integrated management of water resources and the relationship between them, the basic principles and the advantages of their application in future sustainable development of cities. The method is based on the analysis of bibliographical information relating to sustainable urban development.


2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (11) ◽  
pp. 1729-1739 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Leskens ◽  
M. Brugnach ◽  
A. Y. Hoekstra

Water simulation models are available to support decision-makers in urban water management. To use current water simulation models, special expertise is required. Therefore, model information is prepared prior to work sessions, in which decision-makers weigh different solutions. However, this model information quickly becomes outdated when new suggestions for solutions arise and are therefore limited in use. We suggest that new model techniques, i.e. fast and flexible computation algorithms and realistic visualizations, allow this problem to be solved by using simulation models during work sessions. A new Interactive Water Simulation Model was applied for two case study areas in Amsterdam and was used in two workshops. In these workshops, the Interactive Water Simulation Model was positively received. It included non-specialist participants in the process of suggesting and selecting possible solutions and made them part of the accompanying discussions and negotiations. It also provided the opportunity to evaluate and enhance possible solutions more often within the time horizon of a decision-making process. Several preconditions proved to be important for successfully applying the Interactive Water Simulation Model, such as the willingness of the stakeholders to participate and the preparation of different general main solutions that can be used for further iterations during a work session.


TEM Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 757-765
Author(s):  
Ágnes Agócsová ◽  
Zuzana Chodasová

Innovative methods presently affect all sectors of the national economy contributing to the progress and overall development of the economy, and the living standard worldwide. Innovations are equally necessary both in the private and in public sectors therefore, the original innovative ideas in each sector are greatly accepted. Similar concept is significant for companies dealing with urban water management. New methods are available mainly for capturing and reusing of rainwater in urban areas which leads to a positive impact on sustainable urban water management regarding today's water scarcity problems. This article describes some of the most popular innovative methods and examples used for rainwater harvesting, recycling and reuse. As a result, the evaluation of the most suitable water harvesting techniques related to sustainable water management, and their application in the city of Brno in Czech Republic are described.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunfei Qi ◽  
Faith Ka Shun Chan ◽  
Emily C. O'Donnell ◽  
Meili Feng ◽  
Yanfang Sang ◽  
...  

Rapid urbanization has sharply increased the pressure of urban water issues (e.g., urban flooding and water pollution) in the Chinese megacities during last three decades. Sustainable urban water management approaches, such as Nature Based Solutions (NBS) and Low Impact Developments (LIDs), have successfully delivered long-term benefits to cities in Europe and North America. Similarly, the Chinese Sponge City Program (SCP) initiated in 2013 and experimented in 30 pilot Chinese cities. This paper reviewed the first stage of the SCP from 2015 to 2020 by using observation, Semi-Structured Interview (SSI) and Focus Group Approach (FGA) in context of Gui'an New Distinct, SW China to investigate the SCP progress and issues: (1). whether it is effectively solving urban water issues; (2). if there are any major challenges and barriers in the SCP practice. The findings of this case study provide potential solutions for improving the SCP and sustainable urban water management and possibly transform to other Sponge Cities in China.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahad Ahmed ◽  
Shashwat Sharma ◽  
Loc Ho ◽  
Ming Chow

Rapid urbanization in the Global South exacerbates urban water management challenges such as urban flooding and water pollution, rendering many areas water-insecure. Our reliance on grey infrastructures to combat these water management challenges is not sustainable in the long run, due to which a better alternative must be sought. Nature-based Solution (NBS) promote ecosystem services and enhance climate resiliency along with flood control and improvement of water quality by utilizing natural elements including green spaces and water bodies within the urban environment. In the past few decades, NBS have been adapted for urban drainage in Global North and evolved by means of various terms based on geographic location, practices and applications. Some of these well-known terms include Low Impact Development (LIDs), Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and Best Management Practices (BMPs). The transition towards a resilient and sustainable environment has been made possible through the application of NBS. Recently, countries in the Global South such as Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand are trying to alter urban storm water management strategies through conversion of grey infrastructure to green infrastructure by employing various NBS techniques. The findings of this study show how NBS has influenced the Global South’s urban water management.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document