Purpose: This paper aims to associate two fields of research: circular economy and the restoration of water cycle through the implementation of rainwater catchment systems in urban zones. Design/methodology/approach: This study considers the case of the metropolitan zone of Guadalajara, México. This urban concentration is the second largest in Mexico. It faces floods each year with a cost of over US$26m, while demand of water has a production cost over US$24m. At the same time, the aquifers are drying due to uncontrolled urbanization and increasing the impervious area over the recharge zones. In addition, rainwater is combined with wastewater, elevating the cost of the wastewater treatment because the amount and quality of water to treat exceeds the systems’ capacity. This situation causes floods and decreases the availability of ground water. These problems are reflected in the imbalance of parameters of water cycle and a new approach is needed. The circular economy model can help to preserve one of our most vital resources. Scarcity is already so pronounced that we cannot reach many of our desired economic, social and environmental goals. Technologies that help balance supply and demand can also help water (both stock and flow) to become part of a circular model. To prove this, the authors present a hypothetical scenario based on a pilot project and a basin modeling of Guadalajara, Mexico. Findings: Through this paper, it is possible to demonstrate that rainwater harvesting can play an important role in circular economy. Using the rainwater catchment systems, the cost of damages caused by floods could be decreased, the demand of water could be reduced, cost of production can be reduced, the aquifers can be recharged and the wastewater treatments can be improved. Originality/value: Few papers have been developed to associate two fields of research (circular economy and the restoration of water cycle), using rainwater catchment systems as the central element.

Mexico is currently facing important water management challenges. Cities in the country are facing water scarcity and at the same time they struggle with floods during the raining season. The water sensitive urban design (WSUD) approach has proved to be helpful around the world in tackling urban water challenges such as floods or water scarcity. The WSUD approach highlights the role of both the water cycle and the water utilities systems, when transitioning towards a water sensitive stage. Therefore, the objective of this research is to demonstrate the relevance for cities of a WSUD approach by analyzing the current situation of the water cycle and the water utility in the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara (MAG). This research proposes a case study approach. Within our case of study, we focused on the water cycle and the water utilities system (Sistema Intermunicipal de los Servicios de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado (SIAPA)) and ask two questions: (1) What are the causes of water scarcity and flooding in the MAG? and (2) What are the proposals to solve these problems under a WSUD approach? By answering these questions, we identified that the water management in the MAG corresponds to a single purpose infrastructure. This type of water management is common in developing cities and does not contribute to solve the problems of water scarcity and floods. The water supply policy is based only on the construction of large dams disregarding the storage and use of rainwater, and reuse of greywater, and water-conservation devices. In order to transition towards a water sensitive stage, changes in the water policy need to take place and a WSUD approach that includes multi-purpose infrastructure, should be considered.

Mexico is currently facing important water management challenges. Cities in the country are facing water scarcity and at the same time, they struggle with floods during the raining season. The water sensitive urban design (WSUD) approach has proved to be helpful in tackling urban water challenges such as floods and water scarcity and it is being implemented in cities around the world. The WSUD approach highlights the role of both the water cycle and the water utilities systems, when transitioning towards a water sensitive stage. Therefore, the objective of this research is to analyse the current situation of the water cycle and the water utility (SIAPA). To do so, we have selected the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara (MAG) and proposes a case study approach. Within our case of study, we answer two questions: 1) What are the causes of water scarcity and flooding in the MAG? and 2) What are the proposals to solve these problems under a WSUD approach? By answering these questions, we identified that the water management in the MAG corresponds to a single purpose infrastructure. This type of management does not contribute to solve the problems of water scarcity and floods. The water supply policy is based only on the construction of large dams disregarding the storage and use of rainwater, and reuse of greywater, and water-conservation devices. In order to transition towards a water sensitive stage, a WSUD approach that includes multi-purpose infrastructure should be considered. Such as green roofs, swales, rainwater gardens, infiltration trenches, etc.

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El objetivo primordial de esta investigación fue analizar la incidencia de los asentamientos humanos irregulares en la construcción de vulnerabilidad socioambiental en Zapotlán el Grande, Jalisco, ciudad intermedia ubicada estratégicamente en una cuenca endorreica. La irregularidad no sólo es un problema de tenencia de la tierra, sino que es un factor crítico de riesgo, dado que se da en la interacción entre el crecimiento urbano desordenado y las condiciones geomorfológicas propias de la región. Bases de datos oficiales del Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) fueron procesadas bajo un enfoque cuantitativo riguroso utilizando el software especializado Stata. Este proceso permitió caracterizar la extensión de estos asentamientos con precisión y evaluar la efectividad de las acciones institucionales de mitigación implementadas hasta la fecha. Los resultados muestran una realidad alarmante: el 48,76% de las colonias del municipio tienen origen irregular, presentan superficies heterogéneas y se ubican en zonas susceptibles a inundaciones y degradación ambiental. Se infiere que esta ocupación informal agudiza los procesos de escorrentía y sedimentación, poniendo en riesgo la funcionalidad hidrológica de la cuenca. Los resultados evidencian la necesidad urgente de transitar hacia estrategias integrales de ordenamiento territorial e infraestructura hidráulica sostenible, que fortalezcan la resiliencia urbana ante el cambio climático y la presión demográfica

© 2020 The Editors.2020This is an Open Access book chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC BY NC-ND 4.0), which perm