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Book chapter

Eco-Engineering for Water: From Soft to Hard and Back

Water-based urbanism, that is, the design of cities around the role and dynamics of water, has been a powerful urban impetus in many parts of the world. As a consequence of the location of cities along major rivers, on seacoasts, and in inland and coastal deltas, water urbanism is indeed a predominant part of the history and current status of many cities. However, water urbanism has changed and continues to face pressures to evolve. These pressures include a shift to urbanism based on transport by roads, and the need to adapt to changing climate and rising sea level. This chapter addresses changes in the paradigm of water-based urbanism, and summarizes opportunities to improve urban resilience by reclaiming key insights from the traditions of designing with water, as exemplified in Europe and South and East Asia.

Shannon, K. 2013. 'Eco-Engineering for Water: From Soft to Hard and Back'. In Resilience in Ecology and Urban Design: Linking Theory and Practice for Sustainable Cities, S. T. A., Cadenasso, M., McGrath, B. (eds.), (ISBN 978-94-007-5340-2).London: Springer Available: http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/ecology/book/978-94-007-5340-2