Central Asian cities are facing increasing challenges in ensuring a resilient water supply and drainage, due to population growth, urbanization, ageing infrastructure, and climate change-driven extreme rainfall or on the contrary long drought period. Short-term countermeasures rather than long-term investments further strain water supply and drainage systems. Despite recognition of these issues, reliance on consulting from foreign companies and inadequate evaluation of local conditions hinder effective solutions.
This project aims to develop a water-neutral district model for the cities of the future, with a special emphasis on sustainable urban water management in Central Asian cities. The core objectives are to identify key drivers of the urban hydrological cycle, to assess the feasibility of recognized policies and technologies for achieving water neutrality, like green technologies (green wall, green roof, green rainfall water pond), and to investigate criteria for developing novel, region-specific technologies with commercial potential.
Expected results shall include the definition of guidelines, in the form of books and research protocols and papers, for the setting up of quantitative urban hydrology models and the evaluation of policies and technologies for achieving water neutrality, including green techniques. A blueprint for water-neutral districts will be produced. The project also aims to stimulate, through publications and conferences, the development of innovative technologies such as sensors and actuators tailored to the region's climatic and socio-economic context. Additionally, guidelines will be created on integrating these technologies within smart-city IoT frameworks to support water neutrality.
The project offers scientific foundations for technological development and innovation across different timeframes. In the short term, it seeks to enhance water supply in critical districts, mitigate flash flood risks, and develop policies for expanding fast-growing cities. In the medium term, it will optimize investments for rehabilitating water distribution and drainage networks, considering the energy-water nexus. In the long term, it aims to close the urban water cycle, achieving water neutrality.
The project integrates fundamental research to advance urban hydrology knowledge, applied research to assess real-world policy implementation, and technological innovation to foster the development of commercially viable solutions. It falls under the thematic area of Energy, Water, and Natural Resources, with relevance to Engineering Sciences and Climate Change.
The consortium will act as a Competence Center for Central Asia, guiding urban expansion toward sustainable water management.
This project aims to develop a water-neutral district model for the cities of the future, with a special emphasis on sustainable urban water management in Central Asian cities. The core objectives are to identify key drivers of the urban hydrological cycle, to assess the feasibility of recognized policies and technologies for achieving water neutrality, like green technologies (green wall, green roof, green rainfall water pond), and to investigate criteria for developing novel, region-specific technologies with commercial potential.
Expected results shall include the definition of guidelines, in the form of books and research protocols and papers, for the setting up of quantitative urban hydrology models and the evaluation of policies and technologies for achieving water neutrality, including green techniques. A blueprint for water-neutral districts will be produced. The project also aims to stimulate, through publications and conferences, the development of innovative technologies such as sensors and actuators tailored to the region's climatic and socio-economic context. Additionally, guidelines will be created on integrating these technologies within smart-city IoT frameworks to support water neutrality.
The project offers scientific foundations for technological development and innovation across different timeframes. In the short term, it seeks to enhance water supply in critical districts, mitigate flash flood risks, and develop policies for expanding fast-growing cities. In the medium term, it will optimize investments for rehabilitating water distribution and drainage networks, considering the energy-water nexus. In the long term, it aims to close the urban water cycle, achieving water neutrality.
The project integrates fundamental research to advance urban hydrology knowledge, applied research to assess real-world policy implementation, and technological innovation to foster the development of commercially viable solutions. It falls under the thematic area of Energy, Water, and Natural Resources, with relevance to Engineering Sciences and Climate Change.
The consortium will act as a Competence Center for Central Asia, guiding urban expansion toward sustainable water management.