Course video

Explore the design and management of water systems through analyzing the successes and failures of water systems of the past. Bring your own case to the course and apply what you have learned to your own context to ensure the long-term resilience of water systems in the light of the challenges of climate change.

Recent events and disasters have made water management professionals realize that the current application of technology and economic measures might not be sufficient in light of the challenges of climate change. Ensuring drinking water supply and irrigation while protecting against floods and droughts requires long-term thinking and a comprehensive approach. How can we learn from the spaces and practices of the past to  improve current water systems design and common practices?

This innovative course offers a unique approach for water management specialists who want to think outside the box and move towards designing long-lasting, resilient and sustainable water systems. 

The approach is built upon the following pillars:

Learning from successes and failures of the past
Many water systems of the past were sustainable. What can we learn from them? You will identify past interventions, both the good (irrigation systems, stepwells, polders for subsistence, etc.) and the bad (laws preventing equal access to water, polluting practices, dams destroying ecosystems, etc.) and apply them to a future design. 

Increasing water awareness among diverse stakeholders
Realizing the role of water in our environment and our interaction with it (from objects to landscapes) can inspire you to develop new ways of thinking and innovations of water systems design, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Designing future sustainable systems through value-based approaches
Recognizing spatial, social and cultural values is key to improving decision-making and engagement among water professionals and their stakeholders. You will find new ways to build coalitions and to design more sustainable solutions.

Real world examples and actionable steps will allow you to add a new angle to your approach and career in water. You will create your own value case, reviewed by the instructors, in which you recognize social and cultural values as integral to developing future water systems. 

The course is presented by the UNESCO Chair Water, Ports and Historic Cities, established in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus university consortium. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are at the core of this course, as a way to position heritage within present-day policy and practice.

The course is aimed at water professionals, which can include water managers, water activists, and those working in government and semi-government as well as those who have experience managing or analyzing water systems in a different professional context. The course is also suitable for professionals working on sustainable water development, because it is crucial to embed heritage sites and practices in future-oriented sustainable development. 

What You'll Learn:

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Apply novel tools and methods integrating the past for designing complex water systems
• Challenge preconceptions and analyze how they influence our decisions for the future
• Conceptualize the UN SDGs as a comprehensive value system for water and heritage
• Use system analysis to raise water awareness and engage diverse stakeholders
• Design a value case that draws on the past to improve decision-making and promotes sustainable water development.

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