The Multidimensional Aspect of Water Resources Management in Metropolitan Areas (a Case Study of the Poznań Metropolis)

Authors:

• Renata Graf,
• Krzysztof Pyszny

Abstract

Metropolitan areas are characterised by a high density of population, which implies increasing problems related to the development and functioning of the urbanised area. These include problems concerning water supply, the use and protection of water resources, the collection and purification of wastewater and sewage, and also the protection of citizens from extraordinary hydrological and climatic phenomena. The implementation of water management goals in harmony with environmental protection objectives is known to evoke negative phenomena and strong conflicts. A characteristic feature of metropolitan areas is the continuous transformation instigated by a multitude of factors—political, economic and demographic, but also technological and environmental. The need of achieving a number of goals in the same area implies their necessary integration and the implementation of appropriate strategies, concepts and models or programs which make it possible to take correct decisions and realise planned tasks. It is in this specific regard that the model of integrated management of water resources, the concept of iterative and multilevel e-governance, and the so-called “catchment area” management concept have been presented and discussed. Moreover, consideration was given to the problem of limiting anthropogenic pressure with reference to the protection of disposable resources (mainly useful aquifers), of the quality of waters as regards reducing the risk of non-attainment of environmental objectives, and of the integrated minimisation of flood risk on the example of the Poznań metropolis. The analysis was performed in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive, river basin management plans, and flood risk management plans. The multidimensional nature of water resources management in a metropolitan area was considered in its spatial, functional, ecological and social aspects as an activity that includes the planning, development, distribution and optimisation of usage of water resources.