Sustainable Water Management in Cities under Climate Changes

Increasing global change pressures like urbanisation, climate change, deterioration of urban water infrastructure, cities have difficulties in efficiently managing water resources. To manage these challenges cities have to improve the efficiency of urban water systems by rethinking old paradigms and developing more sustainable solutions. Between 1.8 and 2.5 % of the annual global GDP is needed for implementation of water-related sustainable development goals. Currently the main challenge is to ensure public health and satisfy water needs while protecting the quality and quantity of water resources for future generations by efficient production and use of water, energy and materials. The paper presents principles to develop water-sensitive cities that ensure access to safe water and sanitation and also to increase resiliency to floods and droughts.