David Saurí i Pujol

Modelos urbanos y consumo de agua. El riego de jardines privados en la región metropolitana de Barcelona

Este trabajo se inscribe en el proyecto europeo de investigacion FIRMA (EVK-CT-1999-00016) correspondiente al Vo Programa Marco de la Union Europea y cuyo investigador principal en la Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona es David Sauri Pujol. Los autores quieren agradecer a Lucia Cuesta, Marc Pares, Merce Capellades y Monica Rivera su ayuda en las diferentes fases de elaboracion del estudio

Latent sprawl, divided Mediterranean landscapes: urban growth, swimming pools, and the socio-spatial structure of Athens, Greece

Although Mediterranean cities have inherent differences on a local scale, together they offer a kaleidoscopic overview of distinctive morphologies and patterns of socio-spatial segregation. In this study, we explore the distribution of residential swimming pools as indicators of the use of land and water at the metropolitan scale, in relation to recent changes in the socio-spatial structure of a large Mediterranean city (Athens, Greece). Our results indicate a polarized spatial distribution of swimming pools, still considered a luxury affordable only for a minor segment of the Greek population. The analysis highlights the spatial linkages between concentration of residential pools, class segregation and low-density settlements, indicating that the socio-spatial structure of Athens remains characterized by persistent disparities between rich and poor neighborhoods. Comparison with another Mediterranean city (Barcelona) demonstrates the peculiarity of Athens’ recent development as reflected in the fragmented and polarized urban structure. The study provides an alternative reading of recent Mediterranean urban growth by considering pools as a “landmark” for urban sprawl, producing contested landscapes of localized social segregation.

Flujos de agua, flujos de capital: sistemas de abastecimiento y gobernanza del agua en Madrid y Barcelona

espanolEl agua es un elemento clave para el sustento del metabolismo de las ciudades. Sin embargo, los origenes, metodos de «produccion», y modelos de gestion del flujo de urbano de agua pueden variar geograficamente. En este articulo se comparan los sistemas de abastecimiento y gestion de agua potable en las dos principales regiones metropolitanas del Estado: Barcelona y Madrid. En Barcelona, el agua procede de distintas fuentes entre las cuales destaca la desalacion, vigente desde el verano de 2009. En Madrid, el sistema de abastecimiento depende fuertemente de las aguas superficiales procedentes de diversos rios que atraviesan la Comunidad. Por lo que respeta a la gestion de estos sistemas el presente trabajo hace hincapie sobre las importantes diferencias que giran entorno al distinto balance entre participacion publica y privada en el ciclo del agua en ambas areas. Finalmente el articulo reflexiona sobre los puntos de convergencia y divergencia entre ambos modelos de abastecimiento asi como sus perspectivas de futuro EnglishWater is a key element to sustain the metabolism of cities. However, the sources, the methods of water «production» as well as the management models of the urban water flow could differ widely. In this paper we compare the urban water supply systems of the two most important metropolitan regions of Spain: Barcelona and Madrid. In Barcelona, water comes from different sources, with an important role of desalination since the summer of 2009. In Madrid, water supply depends heavily on the surface waters of different rivers flowing through the region. In what concerns the management of these systems, the paper points out the important differences on the governance of the water cycle, and the relationships between public and private interests. To conclude, the article reflects on the convergence and divergence between both water governance models and attempts to offer some insights regarding future prospects.

Caracterizando el descenso reciente del consumo de agua en ciudades italianas

espanolCada vez existe mayor evidencia de que el consumo domestico de agua esta disminuyendo en muchas ciudades del mundo desarrollado. Un conjunto numeroso y heterogeneo de factores puede explicar este declive, desde fenomenos estructurales como cambios en la composicion de las poblaciones urbanas o en la base economica de las ciudades hasta cambios tecnologicos, aumento de la concienciacion ciudadana o precios e impuestos mas altos para el agua. En este articulo examinamos el descenso del consumo de agua en las diez mayores ciudades italianas. El sector italiano del agua urbana se caracteriza por una gobernanza altamente fragmentada que genera ineficiencias importantes en las redes de distribucion y que puede quedar muy expuesta a los efectos del cambio climatico. Al mismo tiempo, sin embargo, existe una firme oposicion a la privatizacion. La disminucion en el consumo de agua en el caso italiano muestra al mismo tiempo factores demograficos (envejecimiento), sociales (migracion) y economicos (riqueza). Nuestra conclusion apunta hacia una combinacion de factores estructurales y politicas activas que parecen ser mas importantes en las ciudades del norte y del centro que en el sur del pais. EnglishThere is increasingly more evidence showing that domestic water consumption is decreasing in many urban areas of the developed world. A large and heterogeneous set of factors may explain this decrease, ranging from structural phenomena, such as changes in the composition of urban populations or in the economic basis of cities to the implementation of more conscious policies such as technological improvements; citizen awareness or higher water prices and taxes. In this paper we examine the drop in water consumption for the ten largest Italian cities. The Italian water sector is characterized by a highly fragmented governance structure that results in a significantly inefficient distribution network, which might be highly exposed to the effects of climate change. However, there is strong opposition to privatization. In the paper we document the drop in water consumption in the largest Italian cities showing demographic (aging), social (migration) and economic (income) factors at the same time. Although it is unlikely that one single reason can explain the declining trend, our conclusion points to a combination of structural factors and specific policies that seem to be more intense in the Northern and Central cities than in the Southern cities.

Las obras hidráulicas en los sistemas fluviales de la Costa Brava : preferencias locales y limitaciones de un modelo convencional de adaptación al riesgo de inundación

This article focuses on adaptative policies to the flood hazard in the area of the Costa Brava. A special emphasis is put on the role of hydraulic infrastructure in flood prevention. We attempt to examine the extent to which local perception of hydraulics works as the more efficient form to adaptation to these phenomena clashes with new flood control policies such as land use planning or river basin planning in general.

Metodología para el análisis de las transformaciones paisajísticas de áreas rurales mediterráneas: evolución, causas y consecuencias en el nordeste de Cataluña

The paper presents a methodology for analysing the landscape dynamics of Mediterranean rural areas using four tools: historical accounts, satellite remote sensing, multivariate regression and landscape indices. The first step involves in historical analysis to