Urban and peri‐urban water‐related relationships: closing the loops

Abstract

Urban population growth has increased pressure on natural resources, water in particular. It has resulted in serious water stresses, poor waste management and severe diffuse pollution. To achieve more favourable solutions, there is a need to look for technological alternatives based on the principles of closing cycles. Incorporation of the agricultural system to the sanitary system with nutrient recycling is one of the major ways of closing the loops in urban and peri‐urban areas. However, various partnerships with all actors of the civil society should be established. Development and implementation of successful reuse operations require more research work to define urban models in which material cycles are closed at affordable economic costs. This paper aims at discussing alternative water management approaches to ensure environmentally sound urban and peri‐urban water‐related relationships.