This project seeks to assess the impact of the sachet water industry on the health, socio-economic and the environmental situation of the inhabitants of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. In addressing the situation, the driving forces which have fuelled the shift of consum-er taste from the normal tap water and the traditional hand-tied-ice water products to the plastic sachet water (commonly known in as "Pure Water") are identified. Lack of access to continuous flow of improved water and the perceived poor quality of the urban water supply system as results of poor management structure are identified as some of the factors for the shift in consumers’ taste for plastic sachet and bottled drinking water. The quality of the plastic sachet is also assessed through the review of previous research results. These are confirmed by laboratory analysis of about six brands of plastic sachet water and two brands bottled drinking water. The laboratory analysis carried out assessed the microbial, physical and chemical quality of the various samples. To assess the health impacts of the products, the results from the analysis are compared with WHO guideline values and other international guideline values. Questionnaires are also administered to ascertain the socio-economic impacts of the products on the life of the young men and women as well sachet water manufacturers. From this, some measures are suggested as to how to mitigate the activities of the sachet water business to reduce its negative effects on the health, the environment and the socio-economic status of the inhabitants of the city.

Face au constat des limites de la lutte contre les inondations, la vision de «Vivre avec» se développe. Il ne s’agit plus de rejeter l’eau mais de l’accepter sur le territoire et de s’y adapter. Cette approche stratégique ouvre la voie vers une vision positive du risque d’inondation qui permet d’envisager des opportunités liées aux inondations.Dans ce contexte du «Vivre avec», ce travail de thèse vise à théoriser et valoriser l’approche émergente que représente la démarche par l’opportunité pour la conception de villes éco-résilientes aux inondations. Ainsi, cette thèse examine en quoi :1. le concept d’opportunité constitue une démarche dans le cadre théorique des villes éco-résilientes aux inondations ;2. la démarche par l’opportunité constitue une méthode de conception et présente des avantages, une pertinence et un potentiel pour la conception de villes éco-résilientes aux inondations, notamment au vu de la gestion du risque plus courante.La recherche mise en œuvre a pour objet de formaliser la méthode de conception par l’opportunité au travers d’une représentation – une grille d’observation – afin d’en faciliter l’utilisation et la promotion. Pour communiquer mais surtout exploiter les résultats sur la méthode, une grille d’observation des stratégies associées à des projets urbains et paysagers pour la conception par l’opportunité est investiguée. Ce support tout particulièrement destiné aux concepteurs architecturaux, urbains et paysagers, est élaboré selon le principe d’une représentation sémantique. La cartographie sémantique correspond à l’outil méthodologique utilisé dans cette recherche. Elle permet d’explorer et de mettre en relation les multiples informations établies tout en les organisant pour une meilleure compréhension de leur complexité. Ainsi, la grille d’observation vient cartographier la méthode établie et constituer un support d’aide à la conception par l’opportunité.Les résultats obtenus de ce travail démontrent premièrement que d’une part, la démarche par l’opportunité présente un potentiel de conception face à la complexité des territoires inondables en milieu urbain. En agissant sur des notions diversifiées et proactives elle apparaît comme pertinente dans la balance entre phénomènes naturels et activités humaines. D’autre part, les démarches par le risque et par l’opportunité sont deux approches différentes mais complémentaires. Il ressort du travail cartographique que la conception de villes éco-résilientes aux inondations s’appuie sur un équilibre entre risque et opportunité.Ces résultats démontrent deuxièmement que la conception par l’opportunité correspond à une logique qui induit des cycles vertueux entre des caractéristiques paysagères (sols, végétations, etc.) et des flux fondamentaux (eau, énergie, déchets, nutriments, etc.) pour la production de bénéfices socio-éco-environnementaux. Elle a pour socle d’action de reconnecter les villes avec leur territoire en articulant et exploitant de manière multifonctionnelle, interdisciplinaire et pluritemporelle les synergies entre les éléments physiques du territoire urbain. Elle est particulièrement pertinente en ce qu’elle formule une nouvelle relation équilibrée pour le couple humain/systèmes hydro-écologiques et présente le potentiel d’un horizon sociétal innovant.En conclusion et synthèse, il est tout d’abord à retenir que la cartographie sémantique constitue un outil de recherche pertinent en ce qu’elle facilite le traitement et l’analyse de données complexes. Ensuite, la méthode théorisée, tout comme la grille d’observation élaborée, induit une évolution des pratiques de conception liées aux inondations. Enfin, cette thèse définit une base de travail théorique et pratique affinée, qui vient questionner le paradigme de la gestion du risque pour approfondir la recherche sur les villes éco-résilientes aux inondations et le «Vivre avec». / In recognition of the limits of the possibilities of combating floods, a vision of “Living With” floods is developing. The aim is no longer to resist water, but to allow it into the territory and adapt. This strategic approach opens the way to a positive vision of flood risk, in which the opportunities associated with floods can be envisaged.In this context of “Living With”, this piece of research seeks to theorise and promote the emerging method of opportunity-based design as applied to flood eco-resilient cities. This thesis therefore examines how:1. the concept of opportunity constitutes an approach within the theoretical framework of flood eco-resilient cities;2. the opportunity-based approach constitutes a method of design and offers advantages, relevance and potential for the design of flood eco-resilient cities, in particular by comparison with the most common method of risk management.The purpose of this thesis research is to formalise the method of opportunity-based design through a representational tool—an observation grid— in order to facilitate the use and promotion of such design. In order to communicate on —but above all to exploit the results— of the method, a grid for the observation of the strategies associated with urban and landscape projects for opportunity-based design is investigated. This instrument, in particular aimed at architectural, urban and landscape designers, is developed by means of a semantic map. Semantic mapping is the methodological solution employed in this research. It is used to explore and connect the multiple data collected, and to organise them so that their complexity can be understood. The observation grid therefore maps the method employed and constitutes a tool for implementation in opportunity-based design.On the one hand, the results obtained from this research demonstrate, first, that the opportunity-based approach offers potential for design in response to the complexity of urban flood territories. Through diversity and proactiveness, it would seem to be relevant in achieving the balance between natural phenomena and human activities. On the other hand, the risk-based and opportunity-based approaches are different but complementary. What emerges from the mapping process is that the design of flood eco-resilient cities entails a balance between risk and opportunity.Second, these results show that opportunity-based design reflects a logic that generates virtuous cycles between landscape features (soil, vegetation, etc.) and fundamental flows (water, energy, waste, nutrients, etc.) for the production of socio‑eco-environmental benefits. The basis of its action is to reconnect cities with their territories by articulating, in a multifunctional, interdisciplinary and multitemporal way, the synergies between the physical elements of urban territory. It is particularly relevant in that it formulates a new, balanced relationship between human and hydro-ecological systems and offers the potential for a new societal perspective.To sum up, the first important conclusion is that semantic mapping is an effective research tool in that it facilitates the handling and analysis of complex data. The second is that the method theorised, together with the observation grid developed, constitute a change in flood-related design practices. And finally, this thesis establishes a refined theoretical and practical starting point for challenging the risk management paradigm and pursuing further research into flood eco-resilient cities and into “Living With” floods.

No description available.

As changing climate and growing urban populations present new challenges for managing both the quantity and the quality of storm waterin cities, nature-based solutions such as blue-green infrastructure arebecoming widely considered as an alternative to grey infrastructure. The benefits, above providing storm water management at a lower cost, are increased ecosystem services. One of such solutions is SuDS: a collective name for drainage systems thatare designed to manage the quantity of runoff, protect or enhance water quality, increase amenity and foster biodiversity. In Sweden there is a lack of research on applying nature-based solutions in planning urban water management. This case study aims to contribute with knowledge of how working with blue-green infrastructure in a systematic way effects the outcome of urban planning and what ecosystem gains can be expected. ASuDS design was created following the SuDS guidelines for a greenfield residential area in the city of Krokom. The design was then compared with the original proposal by the municipality.The results show that the systematic method that SuDS brings to watermanagement planning leads to a different design of a residence area than what traditional methods produce. At the same time the ability to handle extreme rain event is at least as robust, with the ability of the system to generate other ecosystem services and further strengthen the resilience of the area. Further research is needed for a more detailed analysis of the generated ecosystem services. / <p>2023-06-02</p>

Tesis por compendio / [EN] First chapter uses California's drought to identify the economic threats of water scarcity on food, energy and environmental systems as a way to introduce the multiple interactions between these resources. The second part of this first chapter introduces the focus of the dissertation, the water-energy nexus, presents a literature review identifying gaps, states the main and specific research objectives and the research questions, explains the research approach, and describes the organization of the dissertation. Second chapter develops an end-use model for water use and related energy and carbon footprint using probability distributions for parameters affecting water consumption in 10 local water utilities in California. Statewide single-family water-related CO2 emissions are 2% of overall per capita emissions, and locally variability is presented. The impact of several common conservation strategies on household water and energy use are assessed simulating different scenarios. Based on the this model, Chapter 3 introduces a probabilistic two-stage optimization model considering technical and behavioral decision variables to obtain the most eco-nomical strategies to minimize household water and water-related energy bills and costs given both water and energy price shocks. Results can provide an upper bound of household savings for customers with well-behaved preferences, and show greater adoption rates to reduce energy intensive appliances when energy is accounted, result-ing in an overall 24% reduction in indoor water use that represents a 30 percent reduc-tion in water-related energy use and a 53 percent reduction in household water-related CO2 emissions. To complete the urban water cycle, Chapter 4 develops first an hourly model of urban water uses by customer category including water-related energy consumption and next I calibrate a model of the energy used in water supply, treatment, pumping and wastewater treatment by the utility, using real data from East Bay Municipal Utility District in California. Hourly costs of energy for the water and energy utilities are assessed and GHG emissions for the entire water cycle estimated. Results show that water end-uses account for almost 95% of all water-related energy use, but the 5% managed by the utility is still worth over $12 million annually. Several simulations analyze the potential benefits for water demand management actions. The total carbon footprint per capita of the urban water cycle is 405 kg CO2/year representing 4.4% of the total GHG emissions per capita in California. Accounting for the results obtained in Chapters 2 to 4, Chapter 5 describes a simple but powerful decision support system for water management that includes water-related energy use and GHG emissions not solely from the water operations, but also from final water end uses, including demands from cities, agriculture, environment and the energy sector. The DSS combines a surface water management model with a simple groundwater model, accounting for their interrelationships, and also includes explicitly economic data to optimize water use across sectors during shortages and calculate return flows from different uses. Capabilities of the DSS are demonstrated on a case study over California's intertied water system over the historic period and some simulations are run to highlight water and energy tradeoffs. Results show that urban end uses account for most GHG emissions of the entire water cycle, but large water conveyance produces significant peaks over the summer season. The carbon footprint of the entire water cycle during this period, according to the model, was 21.43 millions of tons of CO2/year, what was roughly 5% of California's total GHG emissions. The last two chapters discus and summarize the thematic and methodological contribu-tions and looks for further research presenting and discussing the research gaps and research questions that this dissertation left open. / [ES] El primer capítulo utiliza la sequía de California para identificar las amenazas económicas de la escasez de agua en los sistemas de producción de alimentos, energético y medioambiental para presentar las múltiples interacciones entre estos recursos. La segunda parte del primer capítulo centra el objetivo de la tesis, la relación entre el agua y la energía, presenta la revisión de la literatura identificando los vacíos, describe los objetivos y las cuestiones que busca responder esta investigación, explica la metodología seguida, y describe la organización de la tesis. En el segundo capítulo se desarrolla un modelo de usos finales de agua, contando con la energía y las emisiones de GEI asociados utilizando distribuciones de probabilidad para los parámetros que afectan al uso del agua en 10 ciudades en California. Como resultados principales se obtiene que las emisiones de GEI asociadas al consumo residencial de agua representan el 2% del total de emisiones per cápita, y se presenta la variabilidad debida a las condiciones locales. Los impactos de algunas prácticas comunes de ahorro de agua y energía son calculadas simulando diferente escenarios. Basado en ese modelo, el Capítulo 3 se presenta un modelo de optimización probabilísticos en dos periodos considerando variables de decisión de modificaciones técnicas y de comportamiento en relación al consumo de agua para obtener las estrategias más económicas para minimizar las facturas de agua y energía. Los resultados proporcionan un límite superior para el ahorro doméstico, y muestran mayores tasas de adopción para reducir usos de agua que son más intensivos en consumo energético cuando la energía se incluye, resultando en una reducción del 24% de uso de agua adentro de las casas, que representa un 30% en reducción de energía y un 53% de emisiones de GEI, ambos relacionados con el consumo de agua. Para completar el ciclo urbano del agua, el Capítulo 4 desarrolla primero un modelo horario de usos de agua incluyendo la energía asociada y después se calibra un modelo de agua y energía en el abastecimiento, tratamiento y bombeo de agua, y el tratamiento de agua residual, utilizando datos reales de East Bay Municipal Utility District en California. Los costes horarios de energía para las compañías de agua y energía, así como las emisiones de GEI son estimadas. Los resultados muestran que los usos finales son responsables del 95% de la energía relacionada con el uso del agua, pero que el 5% restante tiene un coste de 12 millones de dólares anualmente. Teniendo en cuenta los resultados obtenidos en los capítulos 2, 3 y 4, el Capítulo 5 describe un sistema de apoyo de decisión (SSD) para gestión de recursos hídricos incluyente energía y emisiones de GEI no sólo de la gestión del agua, sino también de usos finales del agua, incluyendo demandas urbanas, agrícolas, ambientales y del sector energético. El SSD combina un modelo de agua superficial con uno de agua subterráneo, incluyendo sus interacciones, y también incluye explícitamente datos económicos para optimizar el uso del agua durante periodos de sequía. Las posibilidades del SSD son demostradas en un caso de estudio aplicado a un modelo simplificado del sistema de recursos hídricos de California. Los resultados muestran que los usos finales del agua en zonas urbanas son responsables de la mayoría de las emisiones de GEH, pero que las grandes infrastructures de transporte de agua producen importante picos en verano. De acuerdo con el modelo, la huella de carbón del ciclo del agua en California es de 21.43 millones de toneladas de CO2/año, lo que significa aproximadamente el 5% del total de emisiones de GEI del estado. Los últimos dos capítulos resumen y discuten las contribuciones temáticas y metodológicas de esta tesis, presentando nuevas líneas de investigación que se derivan de este trabajo. / [CA] El primer capítol utilitza la sequera de Califòrnia per a identificar les amenaces econòmiques de l'escassesa d'aigua en els sistemes de producció d'aliments, energètic i mediambiental per a presentar les múltiples interaccions entre estos recursos. La segona part del primer capítol centra l'objectiu de la tesi, la relació entre l'aigua i l'energia, presenta la revisió de la literatura identificant els buits, descriu els objectius i les qüestions que busca respondre esta recerca, explica la metodologia seguida, i descriu la organització de la tesi. Al segon capítol es desenvolupa un model d'usos finals d'aigua, comptant amb l'energia i les emissions de GEH associats utilitzant distribucions de probabilitat per als paràmetres que afecten a l'ús de l'aigua en 10 ciutats en Califòrnia. Com a resultats principals s'obté que les emissions de GEH associades al consum residencial d'aigua representen el 2% del total d'emissions per càpita, i es presenta la variabilitat deguda a les condicions locals. Els impactes d'algunes pràctiques comunes d'estalvi d'aigua i energia són calculades simulant diferent escenaris. Basat en eixe model, al Capítol 3 es presenta un model d'optimització probabilístics en dos períodes considerant variables de decisió de modificacions tècniques i de comportament en relació al consum d'aigua per a obtindre les estratègies més econòmiques per a minimitzar les factures d'aigua i energia. Els resultats proporcionen un límit superior per a l'estalvi domèstic, i mostren majors taxes d'adopció per a reduir usos d'aigua que són més intensius en consum energètic quan l'energia es incluïda, resultant en una reducció del 24% d'ús d'aigua a dins de les cases, que representa un 30% en reducció d'energia i un 53% d'emissions de GEH, ambdós relacionats amb el consum d'aigua. Per a completar el cicle urbà de l'aigua, el Capítol 4 desenvolupa primer un model horari d'usos d'aigua incloent l'energia associada i després es calibra un model d'aigua i energia en l'abastiment, tractament i bombeig d'aigua i al tractament d'aigua residual, utilitzant dades reals de East Bay Municipal Utility District en Califòrnia. Els costs horaris d'energia per a les companyies d'aigua i energia, així com les emissions de GEH són estimades. Els resultats mostren que els usos finals són responsables del 95% de l'energia relacionada amb l'ús de l'aigua, però que el 5% restant té un cost de 12 milions de dolars anualment. Algunes simulacions analitzen els beneficis econòmics potencials de mesures de gestió de demanda d'aigua. La petjada de carbó total del cicle urbà de l'aigua s'estima en 405 kg CO2/any representant el 4.4% de les emissions per càpita en Califòrnia. Tenint en compte els resultats obtesos en els capítols 2, 3 i 4, el Capítol 5 descriu un sistema de suport de decisió (SSD) per a gestió de recursos hídrics incloent energia i emissions de GEH no sols de la gestió de l'aigua, sinó també del úsos finals de l'aigua, incloent demandes urbanes, agrícoles, ambientals i del sector energètic. El SSD combina un model d'aigua superficial amb un d'aigua subterrànea, incloent les seues interrelacions, i també inclou explícitament dades econòmiques per a optimitzar l'ús de l'aigua durant períodes de sequera. Les possibilitats del SSD són demostrades en un cas d'estudi aplicat a un model simplificat del sistema de recursos hídrics de Califòrnia. Els resultats mostren que els usos finals de l'aigua en zones urbanes són responsables de la majoria de les emissions de GEH, però que les grans infrastructures de transport d'aigua produïxen important pics a l'estiu. D'acord amb el model, la petjada de carbó del cicle de l'aigua a Califòrnia és de 21.43 milions de tones de CO2/any, el que significa aproximadament el 5% del total d'emissions de GEH a l'estat. Els últims dos capítols resumeixen i discuteixen les contribucions temàtiques i metodològiques d'esta tesi, presentan / Escrivà Bou, À. (2015). The Water-Energy Nexus: a bottom-up approach for basin-wide management [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/59451 / Premios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorales / Compendio

Mathare as an informal settlement of the Global South which suffers from an inconsistent water supply and periods of scarcity, relies for its provision on water vendors. This dissertation strives to advance scholarly debates on understanding the production and governance of the ‘actual water supply’ beyond and in relation to the centralised piped water network, and to thinking the conditions for possible change to modes of water supply. An empirical investigation was conducted on certain temporalities of change and continuity in the relational practices of governance actors of the water provision, the water vendors, situated in the informal settlement of Mathare in Nairobi, Kenya. As such, experiences of water scarcity among the water vendors are suggested to contribute to shape Mathare’s water provision by motivating practices circulation, especially regarding water storage. The water vendors might also crucially sustain and re-configure rules, interact with, and be affected by artefacts involved in the water infrastructure through practices of maintenance, repair, but also decay through temporary events of water infrastructure disruption. In turn, looking at relations shaping the water governance, stable relations are suggested to be re-produced through ‘twilight’ actors and temporal modalities in the water infrastructure.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South African water service providers experience major problems with providing adequate water services to consumers. Water service providers in South African urban areas rely on traditional centralised infrastructure, such as bulk supply networks, to provide water services. Alternative supply and stormwater drainage methods should be encouraged to help mitigate these problems. The researcher thus aims to quantify the potential impact that three alternative methods may have on a given dwelling in terms of its dependence on traditional bulk water services. The three alternatives considered in this thesis are the construction of green roofs, rainwater harvesting and greywater re-use. An efficiency of dwelling water use index (EDWI) was developed during this research project. It was designed in such a way as to show what portion of municipal water services could be replaced within the given dwelling by using the proposed techniques. The final EDWI-rating is obtained by using the EDWI-software tool developed as a part of this research. The derived EDWI-rating ranges from 0 to 100, with a rating of 100 indicating a dwelling requiring only the removal of a portion of sewage by a municipality, but no external water supply. Such a dwelling would also not require any water from a municipal network to meet domestic demand and all stormwater from its roof would be utilised within the plot boundaries. Results presented in this thesis illustrate how different geographical regions require different system specifications to obtain optimal EDWI-ratings, thereby lowering their dependence on the respective municipal water services. Validation of the EDWI-system proved difficult as no similar index could be found during the literature review. It was therefore decided to benchmark the EDWI-system using three model dwellings with nine configurations producing a total of 27 analyses. The EDWI-system provides a conceptual foundation for sustainable water services to South African households in serviced urban areas. Future work could further improve the EDWI-system by testing its practical application so that it may be extended to act as a national barometer, used to compare decentralised water services in terms of sustainability. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:Suid-Afrikaanse waterdiensverskaffers ondervind groot probleme met die voorsiening van voldoende waterdienste aan verbruikers. Waterdiensverskaffers in Suid-Afrikaanse stedelike gebiede maak staat op tradisionele gesentraliseerde infrastruktuur, soos grootmaatvoorsienings netwerke, om waterdienste te verskaf. Alternatiewe voorsienings- en stormwater dreineringsmetodes moet aangemoedig word om hierdie probleme aan te spreek. Die studie poog dus om die potensiële impak wat drie alternatiewe moontlikhede kan hê op 'n gegewe woning in terme van sy afhanklikheid van die tradisionele waterdienste te kwantifiseer. Die drie alternatiewe moontlikhede wat in hierdie studie ingesluit word is die konstruksie van groendakke, reënwater oes en grys water hergebruik. 'n Huishoudelike water gebruik doeltreffendheids indeks (EDWI) is ontwikkel gedurende hierdie navorsingsprojek. Die indeks is ontwerp om aan te dui watter gedeelte van munisipale waterdienste deur die voorgestelde tegnieke vervang kan word. Die finale EDWI-gradering is verkry deur gebruik te maak van die EDWI-programmatuur wat ontwikkel is gedurende die navorsing. Die afgeleide EDWI- gradering wissel tussen 0 en 100, met 'n telling van 100 wat ‘n woning voorstel wat slegs die verwydering van 'n gedeelte van die riool deur die munisipaliteit vereis, maar wat geen eksterne watervoorsiening benodig nie. So 'n woning vereis dus geen water van ‗n munisipale netwerk nie, en alle stormwater van die dak word binne die erf gebruik. Resultate wat in hierdie studie voorgelê word illustreer hoe verskillende geografiese streke ander stelsel spesifikasies vereis om optimale EDWI-gradering te verkry. Die navorser kon geen indeks kry wat soortgelyk is aan die EDWI-stelsel om dit mee te vergelyk nie. Dit was gevolglik besluit om die indeks te standardiseer deur gebruik te maak van drie model huise met nege samestellings van alternatiewe, waardeur 27 ontledings ontwikkel was. Die EDWI-stelsel bied 'n konseptuele grondslag vir volhoubare waterdienste vir Suid-Afrikaanse huishoudings in gedienste stedelike gebiede. Toekomstige navorsing kan die EDWI-stelsel verder verbeter deur die praktiese toepassing te toets. Die stelsel kan uitgebrei word om ‗n nationale barometer vorm wat gebruik kan word om desentralisasie van waterdienste te meet in konteks van volhoubaarheid.

The Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan promotes the ideology of integrating green infrastructure into the City’s water management strategy to cultivate resiliency. In order to develop enough green infrastructure to have a significant impact on the hydrological functioning of the area, New Orleans officials are investigating different options for encouraging property owners to manage their stormwater on-site. Philadelphia Water Department’s parcel-based stormwater utility fee has been offered as a model for working within the constraints of the municipal government’s regulatory authority to increase the water retention capacity of individual properties. This thesis provides an analysis of Philadelphia Water Department’s stormwater utility policy and offers recommendations to other cities, like New Orleans, that are considering adopting a similar policy in their jurisdiction.

A cidade de São Paulo, assim como diversas cidades do mundo, enfrenta hoje sérios desafios no manejo de seus recursos hídricos, efeitos do processo de urbanização e desenvolvimento urbano que não considera as potencialidades das bases biofísicas de suas paisagens naturais, dentre eles, o tratamento da poluição das águas urbanas. Na natureza, a vegetação e a água são indissociáveis, as plantas participam da regulação do ciclo hidrológico e da manutenção da qualidade das águas através de mecanismos naturais, reconhecidos como mecanismos de fitorremediação, além de estarem diretamente relacionadas ao fornecimento de outros serviços ambientais que sustentam a vida na biosfera. Infraestrutura Verde é um conceito de rede de paisagens multifuncionais que realizam o manejo das águas das chuvas na fonte, ao mesmo tempo em que proporcionam melhorado microclima, proteção da biodiversidade, áreas de lazer e contato com a natureza, proteção contra desastres e enchentes e tratamento da poluição sem, contudo, excluir o desenvolvimento urbano. Em Berlim, Alemanha, desde o final dos anos 1980, é realizado o tratamento das águas urbanas a partir de alternativas de Infraestrutura Verde em substituição às práticas convencionais, ao passo que, em São Paulo o uso de tais alternativas é bem mais recente, integrando o Plano Diretor de Drenagem e Manejo de Águas Pluviais do município em 2010. Esta dissertação investiga o papel das plantas no tratamento das águas urbanas por tipologias de Infraestrutura Verde, sob o olhar da fitorremediação e identifica os critérios de seleção das espécies de plantas para projetos de Infraestrutura Verde na cidade de São Paulo, observando-se o estudo de caso do córrego Água Podre, bairro do Rio Pequeno, zona oeste do município. / The city of São Paulo, as many other cities around the world, is been facing serious challenges regarding their water supply management due to the urban development. The potential of the biophysical bases of their landscapes is overcome by urbanization, including the treatment of urban water. In nature, water and vegetation are indissociable. Plants participate in the regulation of the water cycle and maintenance of the water quality through natural mechanisms identified as phytoremediation processes. They are also directly related to other ecosystem services that sustain life on the biosphere. Green Infrastructure is a concept of multifunctional landscapes that manage the rainwater at the source. It also improves the microclimate, the protection to the biodiversity, provides leisure areas, protection against natural disasters and treatment of pollution, without excluding thepossibility of the development. Since the end of the 1980s, urban water treatment is used in Berlin as an alternative of Green Infrastructure, replacing conventional practices. In São Paulo the use of such alternatives is much more recent; it was integrated by the Water Management Plan in 2010. In this dissertation I investigate the role of plants in the treatment of urban waters through Green Infrastructure typologies, observing the phytoremediation processes and identifying the selection criteria of plant species for Green Infrastructure projects in the city of São Paulo. A case study of the Água Podre stream is observed; west zone of the city in Rio Pequeno district.

Guarulhos, o segundo município paulista em população, tem tentado aumentar sua importância no Estado e no país também nos aspectos sócio-econômicos. Como parte das necessidades inerentes a essa mudança de patamar, por sua alta taxa de crescimento, e devido à crônica e histórica deficiência no planejamento da cidade, nos últimos anos vários planos diretores setoriais foram lançados, todos relacionados direta ou indiretamente aos recursos hídricos. Ora por questões orçamentárias, ora por conveniência administrativa, foram executados separadamente o plano diretor de desenvolvimento do município apenas com diretrizes -, e os planos diretores de abastecimento de água, de esgoto sanitário e de drenagem, além do novo plano de abastecimento de água e esgotamento sanitário, este atendendo à Lei 11.445/2007. O plano diretor de resíduos sólidos encontra-se em elaboração. A fragmentação desses planos diretores, apesar de justificada em função das condições em que surgiram e pelas demandas que visavam a atender, pode não ser a mais adequada do ponto de vista dos conceitos mais modernos de gestão da água urbana. Assim, após uma análise crítica desses planos, é avaliada a proposta de elaboração de um Plano Integrado de Águas Urbanas pelo município. Como sugestão de ferramenta de apoio à decisão, é apresentado o emprego de metodologia de análise multicritério para hierarquização de ações, especificamente obras de saneamento de grande porte previstas nos planos diretores de Guarulhos ou em seus desenvolvimentos, buscando também catalisar as interações entre gestores de diferentes setores. / Guarulhos, the second most populous city in the São Paulo State, has tried to increase its importance in that State and in the country also in socioeconomic factors. As part of the needs associated with that step change, for its high growth rate, and due to chronic and historical lack of city planning, in recent years several sectoral master plans have been launched, all directly or indirectly related to water resources. Sometimes by budget issues, or by administrative convenience, these plans were executed separately from the master plan of the city - this, with only guidelines - and the master plans for water supply, waste water, drainage, and the new plan of water and waste water (required by the federal law 11.445/2007). The master plan for solid waste is under preparation. The fragmentation of these master plans, though justified in light of conditions in which they emerged and by the demands aimed at answering, is not adequate from the standpoint of modern concepts of management of water resources. So, after a review of these plans, is assessed the proposed development of an Integrated Urban Water Master Plan by the city. As a suggestion of a decision support tool, is presented the use of multicriteria analysis methodology for prioritization of actions, specifically huge works of sanitation contained in these master plans or in its developments, also seeking to promote interactions between managers from different sectors.