IRBM future challenges for the UK River Thames Example

Implementation and Experience of Water Resources in Urbanisation and Urban Planning in EuropeInternational Conference on Research Cooperation -Water, Urbanisation, ResearchJinan, Shandong Province, ChinaDr Martin Griffiths16 May 2013

OverviewThe Importance of water to urban planning

The need for a strategic view

To encourage partnership and mutual dependence

Emphasise the need to align water and urban planning

In the context ofA changing climate and growing population

In difficult economic times

and

With increasing public expectation and involvement

Adapted from. Paul Whitehead Oxford UniversityWater Security - Primary Pressures4

4We are sponsored by DIUS Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. I want to emphasise this because the misconception persists in some corners that we are part of BERR, which is not the case.

But the benefits of being an arms length body is that we can work across government and across the whole spectrum of innovation. This is critical because we can only achieve what we are setting out to do through partnerships. Partnerships with business first and foremost who we see as our customers. But also partnership with a wide range of stakeholders who are already joining with us, or who we need to bring along in future, on this journey of innovation. These include research councils, RDAs, devloved administration, research and technology organisations and a range of other bodies playing in this space. They all have a part to play.We should expect

Warmer wetter wintersHotter and drier summers reduction of 22% rainfall in the South EastSea level riseMore severe weather events increases in the amount of rain on the wettest days.

Changing Climate UK, China and GlobalSource -http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk/content/view/868/531/UK population is set to rise from 61 million in 2008 to 71 million in 2031 (ONS Data). Population globally is expected to rise from about 7 billion to about 9 billion by 2025Growing Population UK and GlobalSource Office of National Statistics

From Water Resources Strategy for England and Wales , Environment Agency March 2009

Water Scarcity UK areas of relative water stress

7Water Scarcity Projected 2050s river flows

Source Environment Agency, using UKCIP02 medium-high emissions scenarioGlobal Supply Demand Deficit

The Water Framework Directive

European Commission, DG Environment

water.europa.euLand and water planning framework for Europe

Sets the future water planning process and agenda for European watersSets timetableSets outcomesNew ways of thinking in water planningAims for a sustainable approach11Water Framework Directive 11

12Water Framework DirectiveEuropean River Basins12EU Blueprint assessment and implementation

China No1 Water DocumentTo accelerate water resources reform and development across China

Recognises the need to manage water resources over a long period

Provides funding of 4000 billion Yuan over 10 Years (= to 470 billion)

The most important water management initiative undertaken by China

Many similarities with the EU Water Framework Directive

International River BasinsRiver Basins in China - exampleFirst Red Line controls water resources utilisationSecond Red Line - controls water-use efficiencyThird Red Line - controls water quality parameters Linked to Water Functional Zones in rivers and lakesChina No1 Water DocumentImplement a strict water resources management system - Three Red Lines Planning cycles 25 -50 year horizonWater resources plansIntegrated sewerage plans1-2 year Commercial plansBusiness plans5 to 10 year Financial plansWFD plansNeed to align plans, framework and outcomes

Water and spatial plans temporal alignment17Planning cycles Water Resources plansIntegrated Sewerage plansNeed to align plans, framework and outcomes

Converge on common goals - maintain dialogue

Sustainable urban environmentSpatial PlansConsultConsultConsultInnovation, alignment, creative tension18 consultation active involvementsupply of informationPublic participation and stakeholder engagement in water planning

Spatial planners and local authorities are key stakeholders

Stakeholder Engagement

19Water Infrastructure must keep pace with city growth

Thames Water 25 year Plan

Thames Water 25 year Plan

Projected cost to London = 4.9 billion (1.8% to 2.8% GVA for London)*European drought 2003 cost = 8.7 11.3 billionBarcelona drought 2008 cost = 220 million =1% (Catalonia GDP) Equivalent costs to USA and Australia = 1-2% GDP (losses to local economies)

Equivalent costs for flood events

*Source: NERA Report, 2006, Cost of Water Use Restrictions, report for Thames Water

Potential Cost of Drought

Potential benefits to London Healthy water environment = xx billion ++Significant opportunities for ChinaImplementation of No1 Document

Optimisation of expenditureFocus on stretching objectives for waterEnvironmentInfrastructureLook for optimum gain in catchmentsThough this drive Innovative solutionsCreate business opportunities

Achieve sustainable water security for cities

Opportunities from Eco-cities

Some fresh startsExcellent piloting opportunitiesScale up where appropriateRetrofit on existing citiesSome good examplesSustainable Urban Drainage projectsUrban Pollution Manual sewer design and optimisationWanzhuang eco-cityPropose that water is the new carbonNeed innovative solutions

Need adaption strategies

Flexible infrastructure solutions to deal with uncertainty

Risk public health disasters

Significant loss of GDP

Need sound planning frameworks to reduce risks