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Water, Ecosystem Services, and Urban Green Spaces in the Anthropocene

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  • Marianna Olivadese

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Maria Luisa Dindo

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

As urban centers worldwide face the escalating impacts of climate change, rapid urbanization, and increasing water scarcity, the need for sustainable water management practices to enhance urban resilience in the Anthropocene has become critical. This study explores how ancient water management practices—including Roman aqueducts, Maya rainwater harvesting systems, and ancient Chinese flood control techniques—can be adapted to address contemporary water challenges in modern cities. We evaluate these historical practices through a lens of contemporary environmental pressures, including climate change, urbanization, and resource scarcity. By integrating ancient methods with modern technologies, we propose adaptive solutions to enhance urban water resilience. Case studies from five cities (Singapore, Copenhagen, Mexico City, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia) illustrate how modern green infrastructure, inspired by ancient techniques, is being successfully implemented to manage stormwater, mitigate urban flooding, and improve water conservation. By integrating historical practices with modern technologies—such as advanced filtration systems and water recycling—these cities are enhancing their water resilience and sustainability. The findings suggest that urban planners can draw valuable lessons from historical systems to design adaptive, climate-resilient cities that balance human needs with ecological sustainability. This paper concludes with actionable recommendations for future urban planning, emphasizing the importance of decentralized water systems, nature-based solutions, and community engagement to ensure sustainable urban water management in the Anthropocene.

Suggested Citation

  • Marianna Olivadese & Maria Luisa Dindo, 2024. "Water, Ecosystem Services, and Urban Green Spaces in the Anthropocene," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-27, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:11:p:1948-:d:1523896
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marianna Olivadese & Maria Luisa Dindo, 2022. "Historic and Contemporary Gardens: A Humanistic Approach to Evaluate Their Role in Enhancing Cultural, Natural and Social Heritage," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Yonghui Cheng & Qi Kang & Kewei Liu & Peng Cui & Kaixu Zhao & Jianwei Li & Xue Ma & Qingsong Ni, 2023. "Impact of Urbanization on Ecosystem Service Value from the Perspective of Spatio-Temporal Heterogeneity: A Case Study from the Yellow River Basin," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-27, June.
    3. Pablo Torres-Lima & Beatriz Canabal-Cristiani & Gilberto Burela-Rueda, 1994. "Urban sustainable agriculture: The paradox of the chinampa system in Mexico City," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 11(1), pages 37-46, December.
    4. Johan Rockström & Will Steffen & Kevin Noone & Åsa Persson & F. Stuart Chapin & Eric F. Lambin & Timothy M. Lenton & Marten Scheffer & Carl Folke & Hans Joachim Schellnhuber & Björn Nykvist & Cynthia , 2009. "A safe operating space for humanity," Nature, Nature, vol. 461(7263), pages 472-475, September.
    5. Andreas N. Angelakis & Mohammad Valipour & Abdelkader T. Ahmed & Vasileios Tzanakakis & Nikolaos V. Paranychianakis & Jens Krasilnikoff & Renato Drusiani & Larry Mays & Fatma El Gohary & Demetris Kout, 2021. "Water Conflicts: From Ancient to Modern Times and in the Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-31, April.
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    1. Kang Li & Hui Qian & Siqi Li & Zhiming Cao & Panpan Tian & Xiaoxin Shi & Jie Chen & Yanyan Gao, 2025. "Quantifying the Driving Forces of Water Conservation Using Geodetector with Optimized Parameters: A Case Study of the Yiluo River Basin," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-25, January.

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