Smart cities and the management of water consumption

Résumé

Urban history – portrait of collective identity and reference for the environmental and cultural cognitive framework of a territory – is witness to its transformations over time. Significant socio-economic changes both in Europe and worldwide are driving the growth of urbanization at an impressive pace. In this context, the concept of Smart City is considered increasingly strategic for the solution to the questions related to the irreversible urban agglomeration growth.

According to United Nations estimates, the phenomenon today affects more than 50% of the population of the most developed nations in Europe and the world. The projections elaborated by UN Habitat – the United Nations agency in charge of monitoring the phenomenon – show that in 2030 the acceleration in the growth of urban areas will move as much as 68% of the world population living in a city.

It seems clear, the growing demand of water for civilian use in urban areas is an immediate urgency. The impact and the effects of climate change, however, will determine the availability of water resources, too.

In this context, water security is the capability to ensure water in sufficient quantity and quality for the main anthropic uses, as well as the environmental protection4 is a topic of emerging interest in Europe.