Sustainable Urban Water Management in China: A Case Study from Guangzhou and Kunming

Abstract

In China, the notion of a water sensitive city has gained popularity in urban water management as a result of the detrimental effects of flooding and pollution caused by developmental activities. Urban systems and their interrelationships are critical for long-term urban water management and water sensitivity. This article is a case study considering how a strength, weakness, opportunities, and threat (SWOT) analysis-based approach to urban water management interventions in Guangzhou and Kunming cities (China) enables decision makers to identify solutions for cities to become more water-sensitive and resilient. The similar difficulties and rewards with respect to the contexts of both cities were synthesized using SWOT analysis. The contextual SWOT analysis, in conjunction with the comprehensive inclusion of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in intervention planning in these cities, revealed that a water-sensitive-cities approach requires the establishment of a comprehensively multi-objective rainwater management system; this approach would have the goals of reducing rainwater draining sources, controlling processes and adaptive measures, and governing the system to make it more resilient. The water strategy should be holistic and adaptive, capable of providing a broad range of ecological services and other social benefits consistent with the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals, and adaptable to other Chinese cities seeking to achieve water sensitivity.

Multicity comparative assessment and optimized management path of sustainability of the economy–energy–environment system: A case study of core cities in China's three major economic circles

“…Guangzhou should focus on establishing a water recycling system and enhancing the overall water resource utilization efficiency. Yang et al (2021) also recommended strengthening multisectoral coordination in water resource management in Guangzhou, which is consistent with the findings of this study. Insufficient technological investment is a common challenge faced by all three cities.…”

“…The conclusions of this study are similar to those of Nie et al (2022), who emphasized the need to strengthen the sustainable development of agriculture in Shanghai through increased investment in sustainable agricultural models. Guangzhou should focus on establishing a water recycling system and enhancing the overall water resource utilization efficiency Yang et al (2021). also recommended strengthening multisectoral coordination in water resource management in Guangzhou, which is consistent with the findings of this study.…”

Inventory of River Basin Flood Events for Drainage System Examination Using Multi-Temporal Composite Remote Sensing Data

“…A cell's or pixel's starting elevation is utilized to determine the flow channel [19], [29]. We utilize the DEM data set from DEMNAS version 1.0 of 2016 with gridded elevation data at 8.25 m [30]. The BRB's Valley Depth (VD) in Figure 7.…”

Flood Hazard Mapping and Flood Preparedness Literacy of the Elderly Population Residing in Bangkok, Thailand

“…In disaster risk and water management research, some scholars have applied a SWOT analysis for better understanding of flood disaster management plan strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats [18]. For instance, a SWOT analysis was performed for flood management in the southeast of Iran [19] and urban water management in China [20]. Further, a study of Al-Hussain et al [21] conducted a SWOT for vulnerability assessment of flood and drought in the river basin in Bangladesh.…”