ASEM SEMINAR ON URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT. Concept Paper October 2016, Changsha, China. I. Background

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1 ASEM SEMINAR ON URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT October 2016, Changsha, China Concept Paper I. Background Sustainable management of water resources in the context of urbanization is a challenge faced by all countries. According to the United Nations, urban residents account for 54% of the global population, and it will be 66% in With such acceleration of urbanization, cities around the world are facing similar acute challenges regarding water supply balance, public health, drinking water safety, water security, pollution treatment, water disasters under extreme climate, and wearing out of water-related equipment. The increased scarcity of urban water resources and the deterioration of water quality lead to the decline in both quality and quantity of water resources for agriculture, energy generation, industries and other human activities related to urban development. Under certain circumstances, urban waterlogging which damages infrastructure, endangers public safety and disrupts city life. The need for a sustainable model of urban water management featuring green, low-carbon and a harmonious relationship between human and water resources has never been so urgent. In recent years, a new approach - the Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) emerged and attracted both public and academic attentions. Treating the entire urban water cycle in an integrated way, the IUWM incorporates: the systematic consideration of the various dimensions of water, including surface and groundwater resources, quality and quantity issues; the implication that while water is a system it is also a component which interacts with other systems; and the inter-relationships between water and social and economic development. In Asia and Europe, the IUWM is developed and applied in various countries, such as Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) in UK, Water Sensitive Urban Design (WUSD) in Australia, Active, Beautiful, and Clean-Waters Program (ABC Waters) in Singapore, with rich experience and advanced technologies accumulated. In China there is similar effort of exploring the development of Sponge Cities. With urbanization underway in the region, there is a great potential for ASEM members to promote exchange and cooperation in the field of sustainable urban water management, which are acknowledged and called for by ASEM leaders. In the Chair s Statement of the 10 th ASEM Summit Meeting in 2014, [ASEM] leaders underlined the major bearing that urbanization has on global development and the crucial role cities play in fostering sustainable development. Leaders agreed to share experiences and cooperate on addressing the economic, social, environmental and climate 1 World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations,

2 change-related challenges of urbanization...[leaders reaffirmed their commitment to] integrated river basin management, and flood risk control and to ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation. China has been engaging actively with ASEM partners to promoting innovation, cooperation and exchanges in water management among ASEM members. China initiated the establishment of the ASEM Water Resources Research and Development Center (ASEMWater), a non-profit, cooperative and scientific research center. In 2014, the first ASEM Seminar on Sustainable Management of Water Resources in the Context of Urbanization was organized by the ASEMWater. Participants of the seminar agreed on the Changsha Declaration which pledges to strengthen exchanges and collaboration and create a platform for sustainable management of urbanization and water. An e-publication summarizing the seminar was communicated to the ASEF, and published on the ASEMWater s official website 2. Building on the results of the 2014 seminar, the ASEMWater is to join hands with partners including the ASEF to host ASEM Seminar on Urban Water Management in Changsha, China, on October 2016.The seminar aims to summarize the progress during the recent period in the field of urbanization and water sustainability, discuss the current challenges of the sectors and put forward recommendations in planning to meet new development goals. It will serve as a high-level platform for policy dialogues, information sharing, experience exchanges, project collaboration and pragmatic cooperation among ASEM members, injecting new impetus into exchanges and cooperation in the IUWM. II. Agenda With IUWM as the focus, 7 topics are to be discussed and explored during the seminar. Topic 1: Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) in the Context of Climate Change IUWM (Low Impact Development (LID) theoretical foundation and planning design) Optimal use of urban water (drinking water and other domestic water use, water for industrial consumption, fire-fighting and irrigation) Rainwater, surface water, and underground water EU Water Framework Directive Extreme weather events Topic 2: Water Security, Water Supply Security, and Operational Security Water security system and water quality control Progress in research on water quality improvement inside and outside China Water supply, testing and security analysis method Operational security (SMART Water) Topic 3: Construction and Innovation of Sponge Cities Theoretical foundation and planning design of LID Latest progress in LID application and technology Sponge City application and promotion strategies LID and urban planning theories and methods Case studies of Sponge Cities 2 2

3 Topic 4: Wastewater Management Strategy Progress in technological innovation and research in the field of wastewater reuse and waste water treatment Waste water treatment plant construction and operation Solutions for sludge recycling in waste water treatment plant Leachate treatment Large waste water treatment plants, energy certification technology and experience Cost-effectiveness in waste water treatment Topic 5: Education and Training Training methods and trends, environmental education and awareness-raising Technical cooperation between the water sector and universities Traditional education v.s. innovative education related to water projects Blended learning Smart meters and smart cities Topic 6: Professional Organizations and Social Partnership Experiences, success stories and collaboration platforms from home and abroad International review of management and practices at regional and global level Specialization and social partnership and best practices Topic 7: Experience in Urban Water Development and Utilization at Regional and National Level Higher efficiency and reliability of public facilities in water development and utilization Prospect for international cooperation, exhibition of public achievements and future development Better knowledge of transnational and international legal and financial aspects to identify and remove potential obstacles to cooperation Domestic and international innovation (application in new town development, old town renovation, green transport, and industrial parks, and cost-effectiveness analysis of the application) III. Participants It is estimated that about 200 participants will be invited to the seminar, including representatives from partners including the Asia-Europe Foundation, government officials from ASEM members, experts on IUWM from universities and research institutes, representatives from industrial associations, enterprises, and the press. IV. Date, Venue and Format The seminar is to be held on October 2016, including one-and-a-half-day indoor sessions, a half-day field visit, and a one-day optional forum. The seminar will be composed of plenary sessions and parallel sessions for presentations, discussions, case studies and best practice sharing. A water security industry exhibition will be held on October. Date 18 October 2016 Tuesday Registration 3 Event 19 October 2016 Wednesday Opening Ceremony, Plenary Session, Parallel Sessions,

4 20 October 2016 Thursday 21 October 2016 (Optional) Friday Exhibition Morning: Plenary Session, Parallel Sessions, Exhibition Afternoon: Field Trip (Optional: Changsha or Changde) ASEM Forum on Sponge City Construction and Development Hotel: Mingcheng International Hotel Address: No.19 West Lixiang Road, Changsha City, Hunan Province, China Tel: Website: V. Sponsors, Organizers and Partners Sponsors Ministry of Science and Technology, China People s Government of Hunan Province Asia-Europe Foundation Organizers ASEM Water Resources Research and Development Center Hunan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, China Partners Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China Royal Danish Embassy in Beijing World Wildlife Fund Global Water Partnership UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education European Water Association Singapore s National Water Agency IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute VI. Tentative Program Tuesday, October 18 th, :00-20:00 Arrival of Delegates and Registration at the Lobby 19:00-20:30 Welcome Dinner by the People s Government of Hunan Province, China Wednesday, October 19 th, :00-09:00 Registration(only for arrival after 20:00 on October 18 th ) 09:00-09:35 Opening Ceremony Address by an official from the People s Government of Hunan Province, China Address by an official from the Ministry of Foreigner Affairs, China 4

5 Address by an official from the Ministry of Science and Technology, China Address by an official from the Asia-Europe Foundation(ASEF) Address by the president of the European Water Association (EWA) 09:35-09:45 Photo Session 09:45-10:00 Coffee Break PLENARY SESSION I: Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) in the Context of Climate Change 10:00-11:40 Moderator(TBD), 5 key-note speeches (3 representatives from Asia and 2 representatives from Europe),20 min each 11:40-12:10 Discussion and Q&A 12:10-14:00 Buffet Lunch (Panel I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII are in parallel.) PANEL I: Water Safety, Water Security, and Operational Safety 14:00-15:00 PANEL I/A: Moderator(TBD), 4 presentations(2 representatives from Asia and 2 representatives from Europe), 15 min each 15:00-15:20 Discussion and Q&A 15:20-15:35 Coffee Break 15:35-16:35 PANEL I/B: Moderator(TBD), 4 presentations (2 representatives from Asia and 2 representatives from Europe), 15 min each 16:35-17:05 Discussion and Q&A PANEL II: Wastewater Management Strategy 14:00-15:00 PANEL II/A: Moderator(TBD), 4 presentations (2 representatives from Asia and 15:00-15:20 Discussion and Q&A 15:20-15:35 Coffee Break 15:35-16:35 PANEL II/B: Moderator(TBD), 4 presentations (2 representatives from Asia and 16:35-17:05 Discussion and Q&A PANEL III: Education and Training 14:00-15:00 PANEL III/A: Moderator(TBD), 4 presentations (2 representatives from Asia and 15:00-15:20 Discussion and Q&A 5

6 15:20-15:35 Coffee Break 15:35-16:35 PANEL III/B: Moderator(TBD), 4 presentations (2 representatives from Asia and 16:35-17:05 Discussion and Q&A PANEL IV: Professional Organizations and Social Partnership 14:00-15:00 PANEL IV/A: Moderator(TBD), 4 presentations (2 representatives from Asia and 15:00-15:20 Discussion and Q&A 15:20-15:35 Coffee Break 15:35-16:35 PANEL IV/B: Moderator(TBD), 4 presentations (2 representatives from Asia and 16:35-17:05 Discussion and Q&A 18:00-19:30 Buffet Dinner PANEL V: ASEM Water Resources Science and Technology Innovation and Cooperation Seminar 19:40-21:00 Aims: to promote the establishment of new mechanism and models between the water-related international organizations for resources sharing, complementary cooperation and win-win outcomes Thursday, October 20 th, 2016 PANEL VI: Construction and Innovation of Sponge Cities 08:30-09:45 Moderator(TBD), 5 presentations(2 representatives from Asia and 3 representatives from Europe), 15 min each 09:45-10:00 Discussion and Q&A 10:00-10:15 Coffee Break PANEL VII: Experience in Urban Water Development and Utilization at Regional and National Level 10:15-11:30 Moderator(TBD), 5 presentations(2 representatives from Asia and 3 representatives from Europe), 15 min each 11:30-11:50 Discussion and Q&A PLENARY SESSION II: Closing Ceremony 11:50-12:10 Summary & Remarks by Moderators Closing Remarks by the Secretary-General of the Secretariat of ASEMWater 6

7 12:00-13:30 Buffest Lunch 14:00-17:30 Field Trip Route 1: Yanghu Wetland Park, Changsha Pilot Water Reuse Plant, and Songya National Wetland Park Route 2: Changde Sponge City Demonstration Project, Sponge City Construction and Development Forum* * If you choose Route 2, you are to be invited to the Sponge City Construction and Development Forum on 21st October. 7

8 ASEM FORUM ON SPONGE CITY CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT Thursday, October 20 th, :00-17:00 Field-trip: Changde Sponge City Demonstration Project 17:00-18:00 Registration and Check-in 18:00-20:00 Welcome Dinner by Changde Municipal Government Friday, October 21 st, :00-09:00 Registration 09:00-09:35 Opening Ceremony (Chair TBD) Welcome speech by an official from Changde Municipal People s Government, China Address by an official from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, China Address by a European representative Address by an Asian representative Address by a representative from the China Pilot Sponge Cities 09:35-09:45 Photo Session 09:45-10:00 Coffee Break (Session I and II are in parallel.) SESSION I: Management, Operation and Technology of Sponge Cities and Demonstration Projects 10:00-11:40 Moderator(TBD), 5 keynote speeches(2 representatives from Asia and 3 representatives from Europe), 20 min each 11:40-12:00 Discussion and Q&A SESSION II: Mayor s Round-table Meeting on Integrated Urban Water Management 10:00-11:40 Moderator(TBD) Topic: Sponge City Construction Representatives of municipal governments in Asia and Europe and mayors of the first Sponge Cities in China will be invited to share management policies and experience on Integrated Urban Water Management and Sponge City construction to promote exchanges and cooperation between Asian and European cities. 8