Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
City of Dordrecht, Postbus 8, 3300 AA Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci. 2020 Apr 3;378(2168):20190214. doi: 10.1098/rsta.2019.0214. Epub 2020 Feb 17.
The paper argues that the concept and practice of sustainability have proved too difficult to achieve within traditional water management, and there is a lack of political will to move towards truly sustainable water services. Instead, compromised concepts, including resistance, resilience, ecosystem services, natural capital and adaptation are defining approaches; each of which may contribute partially to sustainability. Pressures due to the changing climate, ecological degradation, human demands, urbanization and deteriorating assets are challenging sustainability and compelling changes to water management. Water is now seen less as a problem to be managed than as an opportunity, as wherever situated, water brings many opportunities to contribute to anthropogenic needs. New ideas are helping to frame the way in which water management is being approached: (i) waste is no longer waste, but a potential resource within a circular economy; (ii) the interconnectedness of infrastructure systems and services and circularity of the water cycle mean there is a need to integrate approaches; (iii) nature-based systems should be preferenced for water infrastructure. These issues and ideas are considered here, together with examples of schemes showing that managing flooding can lead to wider benefits, and potential longer-term sustainability. This article is part of the theme issue 'Urban flood resilience'.
本文认为，可持续性的概念和实践在传统的水资源管理中很难实现，而且缺乏向真正可持续的水资源服务转变的政治意愿。相反，妥协的概念，包括阻力、弹性、生态系统服务、自然资本和适应，正在定义方法；每一种方法都可能对可持续性做出部分贡献。由于气候变化、生态退化、人类需求、城市化和资产恶化带来的压力，可持续性面临挑战，需要对水资源管理进行变革。水现在被视为一种机遇，而不是需要管理的问题，因为无论在何处，水都为满足人类需求带来了许多机会。新的理念有助于构建水资源管理的方法：(i) 废物不再是废物，而是循环经济中的潜在资源；(ii) 基础设施系统和服务的互联性以及水循环的循环性意味着需要整合方法；(iii) 应该优先考虑基于自然的系统作为水基础设施。本文考虑了这些问题和理念，以及一些方案的例子，这些方案表明，管理洪水可以带来更广泛的好处，并可能实现更长期的可持续性。本文是“城市洪水韧性”主题特刊的一部分。
