The Role of Urban Wetlands in Water Management and Biodiversity – An Insight into London's Walthamstow

Wetlands

Urban wetlands, seemingly paradoxical entities within concrete and steel landscapes, are crucial components of urban ecosystems. Acting as natural sponges, they manage water and conserve biodiversity. They trap and release surface water, rainwater, and fl oodwater, serving as habitats for numerous species.

However, urbanization, pollution, invasive species, and climate change pose signi fi cant threats to these ecosystems. Their protection is essential for maintaining biodiversity and enhancing cities' resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.

One notable case is the Walthamstow Wetlands in London, one of Europe's largest urban wetland nature reserves. Originally created as reservoirs in the 19th century, the site is now a critical water supply infrastructure and biodiversity haven. It houses various habitats, from open water to grasslands and scrub, hosting a rich wildlife, including many bird, bat, and invertebrate species.

The Walthamstow Wetlands' success hinges on a holistic management approach that balances water supply needs, biodiversity conservation, and public access. The site is managed collaboratively by Thames Water and the London Wildlife Trust, exemplifying how partnership can yield multiple benefits. The wetlands also serve as an educational resource, with a visitor center providing information about its history, wildlife, and role in water supply.

This example highlights the immense value of urban wetlands and the potential of integrating them into city landscapes. It demonstrates how cities can convert water infrastructure into spaces that support biodiversity, provide ecosystem services, and facilitate people-nature connection.

However, preserving and restoring urban wetlands necessitate concerted efforts. Policymakers, city planners, conservationists, and local communities must integrate wetland protection into urban planning and development processes, viewing them as valuable assets that enhance urban resilience, biodiversity, and wellbeing.

Public engagement is also crucial. With understanding of wetlands' value, people are likelier to support their protection and restoration. Initiatives like guided tours, citizen science programs, and educational resources can foster appreciation and stewardship of urban wetlands.

Moreover, policies and regulations must safeguard these ecosystems, including strict development controls in and around wetlands, rehabilitating degraded ones, and creating new ones where feasible. Cross-sector collaboration, as seen in Walthamstow Wetlands, can ensure urban wetlands' multiple roles are realized and maintained.

As climate change intensifies, urban wetlands are increasingly important. They offer a nature-based solution to extreme weather events like floods and droughts, enhancing city resilience by acting as natural buffers, improving water quality, and supporting biodiversity.

The Walthamstow Wetlands story illuminates what's possible when we value and protect urban ecosystems. It serves as a guide for other cities, showing how urban wetlands can be incorporated into the urban fabric, contributing to nature conservation and human wellbeing.

With growing urban populations, we must embrace a more inclusive vision of urban development that recognizes and harnesses nature's value. By protecting and restoring urban wetlands, we can build cities that are more resilient to climate change, richer in biodiversity, and more livable. Embracing urban wetlands is not just about safeguarding our natural heritage - it's about ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for all.

Financing Nature-Based Solutions

Exploring Public, Private, and Blended Finance Models and Case Studies

Robert C. Brears

Integrating Water Management into Urban Climate Adaptation Planning –A Dive into Melbourne's Water Strategy

As climate change intensifies, cities worldwide must adapt. Rising temperatures, severe droughts, and extreme storm events are transforming urban water landscapes. Consequently, integrating water management strategies into urban climate adaptation plans has become a necessity.

This article discusses the importance of resilient water infrastructure and innovative adaptation strategies, taking insights from Melbourne, Australia, a city leading these efforts.

Climate change poses signi fi cant challenges to urban water management. Increased temperatures escalate water demand, and altered precipitation patterns can result in water scarcity and flooding. Traditional water infrastructure, designed for stable climate conditions, often struggles under these new realities. Thus, cities must reimagine their water management approaches, shifting towards more resilient and flexible systems.

Resilient water systems demand transitioning from centralized, singlepurpose infrastructures to decentralized, multi-functional systems. These systems manage water supply, sanitation, flood control, urban cooling, and even recreation. Innovative adaptation strategies are also emerging, such as using reclaimed water for non-potable uses, stormwater harvesting, green infrastructure, and demand management.

Melbourne exemplifies how cities can incorporate water management into climate adaptation planning. Its Water Future strategy envisions a watersensitive, resilient, liveable, and prosperous city, irrespective of climate variability. This strategy uses an integrated water management approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and urban landscapes.

Melbourne has implemented various innovative practices, including stormwater harvesting, which captures, treats, and stores runoff for non-potable uses.

Melbourne has implemented various innovative practices, including stormwater harvesting, which captures, treats, and stores runoff for non-potable uses. This not only supplements water supply but also reduces stormwater pollution and flooding. The city also uses recycled water extensively, reducing the strain on freshwater resources. Furthermore, Melbourne has made substantial strides in demand management. The 'Target 155' campaign encourages residents to use less than 155 liters of water per person per day, fostering a culture of water efficiency.

Melbourne's experience provides critical lessons for other cities. It highlights the power of an integrated approach to water management, the importance of community engagement, and the need for forward-thinking policy and planning. This approach acknowledges that water is not just a sectoral issue but a central part of urban resilience and sustainability.

As climate change worsens, the urgency for water-smart cities increases. Adapting to the new water realities of climate change necessitates creativity, collaboration, and courage. We must rethink our urban water systems, innovate, and embrace new ways of managing water. Melbourne's case study offers hope and a practical roadmap for cities navigating the uncertain waters of a changing climate. By adopting an integrated approach to water management and engaging their communities, cities can build resilience, protect water resources, and ensure a sustainable future for their residents.

April 2020: 234x156: 320pp

2 illustrations

Hb: 978-0-367-26617-2 | £120.00

Pb: 978-0-367-26689-9 | £34.99 eBook: 978-0-429-29460-0

Nature-Based Solutions to 21st Century Challenges

Robert C. Brears

This book provides a systematic review of nature-based solutions and their potential to address current environmental challenges. This book systematically reviews nature-based solutions from a public policy angle, assessing policy developments which encourage the implementation of nature-based solutions to address societal challenges while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. It will be of great interest to policymakers, practitioners and researchers involved in nature-based solutions, sustainable urban planning, environmental management and sustainable development generally.

20% Discount Available - enter the code FLR40 at checkout*

Hb: 978-0-367-26617-2 | £96.00

Pb: 978-0-367-26689-9 | £27.99

* Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount and only applies to books purchased directly via our website.

For more details, or to request a copy for review, please contact:

F i n a n c i n g W a t e r

S e c u r i t y a n d

G

r

e e n G r o w t h

F i n a n c n g W a t e r S e c u r i t y a n d G r e e n G r o w t h o f f e r s a c o m p r e h e n s v e o v e r v e w o f t h e i n n o v a t v e f i n a n c a n s t r u m e n t s a n d a p p r o a c h e s a v a i l a b e t o m p l e m e n t w a t e r s e c u r t y a n d g r e e n g r o w t h n i t a t i v e s a t v a r o u s s c a l e s a n d n d f f e r e n t c o n t e x t s R o b e r t C B r e a r s e x p o r e s t h e u s e o f a v a r e t y o f p u b l i c p r i v a t e a n d b l e n d e d f n a n c e m o d e l s t o c r e a t e c l i m a t e - r e s i l i e n t w a t e r s u p p l i e s r e d u c e w a t e r - e n e r g y - f o o d n e x u s p r e s s u r e s e n c o u r a g e w a t e r c o n s e r v a t i o n a n d e f f i c e n c y a n d n c r e a s e w a t e r r e a b i l i t y H e e x a m i n e s h o w t h e s e m e t h o d s c a n d e c r e a s e t h e c o s t s a n d p o l l u t o n a s s o c i a t e d w t h w a s t e w a t e r d i s p o s a l , u t i l i z e n a t u r a l p r o c e s s e s t o m p r o v e w a t e r q u a l t y , m a n a g e w a t e r q u a n t i t y b y r e s t o r i n g t h e h y d r o l o g c f u n c t i o n o f t h e a n d s c a p e , a n d m p r o v e o v e r a l l w a t e r g o v e r n a n c e F e a t u r e s

E x p l a i n s a n d a n a y s e s t h e v a r i o u s f n a n c a i n s t r u m e n t s a v a a b l e t o p r o m o t e w a t e r s e c u r t y I l l u s t r a t e s t h e g r e e n i n f r a s t r u c t u r e s o l u t i o n s a d o p t e d b y l e a d i n g l o c a t i o n s a r o u n d t h e w o r l d a r s R o b e r t C B r e a r s , F o u n d e r , O u r F u t u r e W a t e r M a y 2 0 2 3 a r d c o v e r

30%OFF!

For more information visit: www.routledge.com/9780367266899

4 0 p a g e s £ 7 0 0 0 £ 4 9 0 0 ( G B P )

O r d e r o n l i n e a t h t t p s : / / g l o b a l . o u p . c o m / a c a d e m i c / w i t h p r o m o t i o n c o d e

A S F L Y Q 6 t o s a v e 3 0 % !

$ 9 0 . 0 0

$ 6 3 . 0 0 ( U S D )