Challenges and opportunities to manage wastewater and rainwater in Lisbon

Abstract

Urban water systems are essential for public health, quality of life, and urban sustainability. Despite the progress in the last decades in managing wastewater and rainwater in urban areas, challenges persist and are exacerbated by climate changes. Existing urbanisation and infrastructure systems are valuable assets and ultimately are barriers to urban sustainability transition, including the type of drainage systems and their condition. New paradigms should act as drivers for change, incorporating these into new solutions while providing multiple benefits not limited to drainage.