{"id":1463,"date":"2018-10-22T16:54:22","date_gmt":"2018-10-22T14:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blueplanetberlin.de\/?p=1463"},"modified":"2018-11-08T16:59:39","modified_gmt":"2018-11-08T15:59:39","slug":"innovative-solutiond-for-sustainable-smart-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blueplanetberlin.de\/en\/innovative-solutiond-for-sustainable-smart-cities\/","title":{"rendered":"BLUE PLANET Berlin Water Dialogues: Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Smart Cities | Berlin | Humboldt-Box"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This year\u2019s conference focused on change processes<\/strong> and sustainable adaption concepts <\/strong>for urban spaces worldwide on their way to become \u201cwater smart\u201d. How can water management become part of urban change processes and what opportunities are offered for achieving the UN sustainability goals of Agenda 2030<\/strong> (in particular SDG 6 and SDG 11)? Proven experts from business, research, politics and non-governmental organisations presented their concepts in the morning and discussed with the audience in the afternoon during a \u201cWorldcaf\u00e9\u201d<\/strong>.\u00a0The developed suggestions and results will form the thematical basis for the next BLUE PLANET conference in April 2019.<\/p>\n

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Statements of participants:<\/strong>
\n“It was an inspiriting program with many interesting insights and a great opportunity to meet with new people in the industry. I look forward to continuing learnings at the nect conference in April 2019.”\u00a0<\/em>
\nBeverley Ferrara, European Representative, The Water Council, Milwaukee, USA<\/p>\n

“As moderator, I experienced Blue Planet as a conference with a unique and natural in-depth workflow due to the highly engaged and motivated participants from different geographical regions and backgrounds. Definitely to keep in mind and mark in the calendar as the Blue Community gathers for discussions, reflections, ideas and vivid discussion participation.”
\nKatie Gallus, Geographer and Moderator
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Results of the discussions during the Worldcaf\u00e9<\/strong> based on four thematic areas<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

1 Cyper Physical Water Systems
\n<\/span><\/strong>What aspects are necessary for \u201ewater smarter\u201d cities?<\/span><\/p>\n

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The main takeaway of the participants\u2019 discussion about the development of \u201cwater smarter\u201d cities is that they require holistic water cycle systems. The argument goes that an interaction between different water systems is needed to make sure that certain compartments do not become neglected or ignored and to avoid data silos. Moreover, one central data system should collect, handle, and visualize data. Emphasis should also be given to the key aspect of electricity, especially in developing countries, in order to avoid bottleneck effects. Leapfrogging is a central idea here, as radical changes instead of small and incremental steps may be necessary for water smarter cities. Yet, the respective culture of a region needs to be considered in order to assess the willingness to accept radical changes.<\/p>\n

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2 A future perspective for sustainable smart cities
\n<\/span><\/strong>What solutions do we have to react to future challenges such as urbanization, population growth, and climate change?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Participants agreed that involving the inhabitants of a city is a necessity when developing solutions to current challenges. This includes raising awareness for challenges and informing about success stories revolving around water, thus bringing issues more into the public eye. Moreover, long term cooperation and shared experiences while building on local knowledge are likely to bring more sustainable effects.<\/p>\n

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3 Challenges in the implementation process
\n<\/span><\/strong>How are challenges met on an international level and what are the benefits of water management 4.0?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Again, one of the central aspects here is the perception that challenges revolving around water can only be met via awareness raising and by including the public into the process (# ask them). Yet, it was argued that millennials have different moral concepts and value money differently than the generations before them and integrative processes need to be adapted accordingly: It is not only about asking people but also about the type of questions that are asked, and how. Moreover, there was broad consensus that the education of children on the price of water and waste water needs to become an essential aspect of childhood learning.<\/p>\n

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4 Nature-based solutions for urban areas
\n<\/span><\/strong>What are opportunities and benefits of nature-based systems?
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There was consensus that nature-based solutions are an important and necessary tool to tackle challenges resolving around climate change, health and disease, as well as food management on a city level, especially in developing countries. While the concepts of leadership and capacity building are key aspects here, again, emphasis was put on the development of interdisciplinary structures including alliances on all scales and data monitoring, and the involvement of the local population. Some NBS-strategies raise special interest in people, such as \u201csponge city\u201d, air-conditioning with rainwater and improving microclimates. Participants agreed that \u201cstarting with the easy one\u201d may be the right way forward.<\/p>\n

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