Module 1: Preparing for the Future
SWITCH Training Kit
Module 1: Preparing for the Future
Strategic planning and action for integration in
urban water management
An overview
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
The importance of good urban water
management
Water and urban quality of life:
• Public health
• Security
• Economy
• Environment
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Urban water management – The issues
Increasing complexity and
risks of infrastructure
systems
Climate
change
Energy use
Population
growth and
urbanisation
Emerging
technologies
Deterioration of
infrastructure
systems
Changes in
public priorities
Governance
and policies
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Conventional approaches to urban
water management
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•
•
•
•
Stormwater collection and disposal using
concrete channels and pipes
Centralised wastewater collection and
treatment
Increased water demand is met through new
supplies
Standard engineering solutions are applied
Different sectors of the water cycle are
managed separately
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Drawbacks of the conventional
approach to urban water management
•
•
•
•
Lack of integration
Short-term solutions
Lack of flexibility
Energy intensive
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Links within the water cycle
Stormwater
 Water quality
 Sewer capacities
 Potential resource
 Water treatment standards
The Urban
Water Cycle
Water
supply
Wastewater
 Potential resource
 Wastewater volume
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Links between water and other sectors
of urban planning
Roads and
transport
Housing
Energy
Waste
management
Parks, gardens
and recreation
Farming
Local economic
development
Health
Land-use management
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Integrated Urban Water Management
(IUWM)
IUWM requires the consideration of:
•
All parts of the water cycle as an integrated
system
•
The need to strive for sustainability
•
All water users and other relevant
stakeholders
•
All water uses
(Based on Mitchell, 2004)
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Integrated approaches to urban water
management
•
•
•
•
•
Stormwater is attenuated and retained using
natural systems
Wastewater is separated at source and reused
Reducing water demand is given priority over
increasing supply
Innovative solutions are encouraged
Physical and institutional integration in the
management of the water cycle
(Based on Mitchell, 2004)
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Benefits of IUWM
•
•
•
•
Increased water availability
Reduced cost of water treatment
Increased biodiversity
Identification of more cost effective
and viable solutions
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Why IUWM is more sustainable
Social
sustainability
Environmental
sustainability
Preserves / restores
aquatic ecosystems
Meets society’s needs
for water in a fair way …
and protects it from risks
caused by water
Economic
sustainability
Ensures the necessary
financing for managing
the water resources and
for meeting society’s
needs
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Moving towards integration
•
•
•
•
•
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Communication, coordination & collaboration
across institutional boundaries
Cross-disciplinary interaction
Multi-stakeholder involvement
Experimenting – learning – sharing
Regular review and adjustment
Importance of joint vision
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Adopting IUWM through strategic
planning
Assessment of
situation &
scenario building
Visioning &
setting of
objectives
Strategy
development &
political
commitment
Action planning &
implementation
Monitoring &
evaluation
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future
Acknowledgements
This presentation has been produced as part of the
SWITCH Training Kit by:
Ralph Philip and Barbara Anton
ICLEI – Local Government’s for Sustainability
based on the joint efforts of the following SWITCH partners:
P. van der Steen (UNESCO-IHE), J. Butterworth (IRC International Water and
Sanitation Centre), C. Batchelor (IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre),
C. Da Silva (IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre), D.M. Guio-Torres
(UNESCO-IHE), C. Howe (UNESCO-IHE), Z. Vojinovic (UNESCO-IHE)
The UNESCO-IHE led SWITCH project runs from Feb. 2006 to Jan. 2011 and is partfinanced by Directorate General Research of the European Commission under the Sixth
Framework Programme. For more information see www.switchurbanwater.eu
SWITCH Training Kit: Module 1 – Preparing for the Future