Chapter 5: A nature-based approach to building Water Smart Cities

Samenvatting

Cities around the world need to rethink the way they deal with water and develop into water smart cities. This chapter will address a shift in urban water management towards water smart cities using three strategies: (1) restore degraded ecosystems in natural surroundings of cities; (2) implement Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) on a large scale; (3) close the urban water cycle and treat water as a resource. NBS are solutions inspired by, supported by or copied from nature. The Water Smart City approach integrates urban water management on a district, city and catchment scale. Furthermore, innovation and close collaboration between local stakeholders, businesses and research institutes are a key part of this approach, to continuously learn and improve the solutions. By collecting and analysing data, cities can create an evidence base for nature-based adaptation. Case studies presented are Oslo, New Delhi and Ho Chi Minh City. The chapter concludes with a roadmap to become a Water Smart City.