Water for People (Human Experience)

Chapter 3 is concerned with the provision of water for human consumption. As the Partnerships for the Goals mentioned in the SDGs, the Anthropocene raises novel challenges regarding water management and governance. Anthropocentric water system design is intended to meet the needs of people living and working to the greatest extent possible from a human perspective. The chapter cites ten domestic and international urban water environment design projects, based on the theory of the hierarchy of human needs. The water needs of each design project are met by the function of a one-to-one correspondence. From a functional standpoint, the primary stage of physiological and safety needs is primarily characterised by the supply of sufficient, clean water and the mitigation of disaster risks in the living environment. As social needs evolve, the demand for emotional needs begins to emerge. At this higher level, water design tends to provide water-related public activity spaces, fostering opportunities for social interaction. The issue of water safety, supply, and sustainable consumption patterns is of significant concern, as discussed in Chapter 3 . The retention of water sources and the surrounding environment is imperative for ensuring a healthy, clean water environment that prevents inner-city residents from exposure to pollutants and further safeguards the quality of urban living. Moreover, food production, industrial manufacturing, and energy extraction are major sources of water demand, underscoring the crucial role of water conservation and recycling in maintaining an everyday productive life within the city and the region. The third intention of the publication focuses on the design of water in landscape construction, exploring the potential of “ecological functioning” in urban landscapes to deliver sustainable water management, influence the microclimate, facilitate carbon sinks, and support urban food production. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has advocated for a shift in traditional water management towards a blend of green and grey investments, acknowledging the significant potential for nature-based solutions to assist in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Water management continues to be heavily dominated by conventional, human-built infrastructure, and the vast potential for NBS remains largely untapped. The objective is to ascertain the most optimal blend of green and grey investments to maximise benefits and system efficiency while minimising costs and trade-offs. The concluding topic of Chapter 3 is concerned with the ecological construction of vibrant water spaces. As an integral part of urban public space, green, ecological, and vibrant water spaces play a crucial role in enhancing the urban ecological environment, enriching the urban landscape, improving the quality of urban space, and showcasing urban characteristics. Its primary design principles include four aspects: (1) restoration and maintenance of ecological conditions; (2) creation of activity space reflecting humanistic care; (3) focus on culture and art emphasising regional characteristics; and (4) systematic integration of comprehensive functions.