Peter Van Der Steen

Understanding the Iuwm Principles Peter Van Der Steen

Observing the dialectical conflict between a conservative approach and uncontrollable changes, a new paradigm emerges in which the planning and management of the utilization of water resources require a new approach. To elaborate a strategic plan for that it should be considered an integrated vision of urban water system which would be fundamental to conceive management measures towards water sustainability. Nevertheless, the approach about this interaction should be beyond a conservative analysis which is simply technical and economical. It is necessary to search and introduce new values that are based on social and environmental issues. Besides, nowadays many changes are occurring worldwide as climate alterations, fast increasing environmental impacts, strong economics oscillations, increasing in demand for natural resources associated to aggressive way of life and political instability. Regarding this context the objective of this work is to propose a reflexive environment about how the concept of Integrated Urban Water Management could change the cities in terms of technologies, strategic planning, organization, financing of the urban water sector towards the sustainability.