Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.7
3.3
Journals
Sustainability
Special Issues
Sustainable Water Resources Management in the 21st Century: Challenges and...
sustainability-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Sustainable Water Resources Management in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Water Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 3378

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dexter Hunt

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Interests: sustainability and sustainable Infrastructure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Soroosh Sharifi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Interests: water engineering; sustainability; resilience; water technologies; climate impact; extreme weather
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of water resources management (WRM) has increased in recent decades due to rapid increases in global populations, not least in urban areas. Simply put, this means that more supplies are required to cover the increasing demand for water from different end-users (and uses). However, water resources (WRs) are finite, and in some regions, such as arid and semi-arid regions, they are limited or scarce. Therefore, careful planning and the appropriate sustainable management of these resources in these regions in the 21st Century are highly significant to avoid any future water crisis that might affect current and future generation(s), including water shortages and deterioration in water quality.

Indicator-based frameworks are needed to evaluate and improve sustainable water resource management (SWRM) in all regions, not least in arid and semi-arid regions. However, whilst many generic SWRM systems exist for the former, very few include the unique characteristics and local context and conditions of the latter. Improvements in water-using behaviour and technological efficiency, either incentivised or legislated or other allied approaches, are required to seek alternative supply sources. Public acceptability and understanding of these are key to their success, and a lack of overall water awareness could be a key driver in this space. Combining this with issues such as maintenance and upgrading issues and of legacy infrastructures, as well as more broadly with aspects of water justice and governance, the field of sustainable water resources management poses challenges, but it also creates many opportunities.

Rapid growth and changes in the dynamics of cities, combined with the challenges associated with climate change and net-zero, impact urban populations in all regions globally. These challenges are more pronounced and nuanced for arid and semi-arid regions, where the ability of cities to appropriately provision for essential urban infrastructures is fraught with difficulty. Water therein is very scarce due to low expected rainfall and high rates of evaporation. This exacerbates water supply for domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses. Water is an amenity, but it is also a necessity for cities to both function and thrive for their current populations and future generations; therefore, sustainable water resource management is key to its success. Indicator-based frameworks are needed to evaluate and improve sustainable water resource management (SWRM), not least in arid and semi-arid regions. However, whilst many generic SWRM systems exist, very few include the unique characteristics, local context, and conditions of these areas.

To address this gap, this Special Issue focuses on the latest research and current thinking within the field of SWRM, identifying how developed and developing societies might draw from a wealth of opportunities to use SWRM to help improve water infrastructure decision making. Drawing on this knowledge base will help to assess whether and how water resource management can be made more sustainable, improving the decisions being made for people who live in these regions.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Assessment frameworks for sustainable water resource management;
  • Sustainable water infrastructure provision for the 21st century;
  • Decision-making for water supply;
  • Sustainable water resource management (SWRM) for the 21st century;
  • Achieving net-zero in the water industry.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Dexter Hunt
Dr. Soroosh Sharifi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainability
  • infrastructure
  • planning
  • sustainable indicators

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

18 pages, 248 KiB  
Article
Engineering Diplomacy for Water Sustainability: From Global Indicators to Local Solutions
by Shafiqul Islam
Sustainability 2025, 17(12), 5539; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125539 - 16 Jun 2025
Viewed by 135
Abstract
Sustainable Development Goal 6.4 aims to improve water-use efficiency and reduce water scarcity, yet its implementation is hampered by ambiguities in definitions, limitations in metrics, and misalignments between global indicators and local realities. This paper introduces the Engineering Diplomacy Framework (EDF) as a [...] Read more.
Sustainable Development Goal 6.4 aims to improve water-use efficiency and reduce water scarcity, yet its implementation is hampered by ambiguities in definitions, limitations in metrics, and misalignments between global indicators and local realities. This paper introduces the Engineering Diplomacy Framework (EDF) as a principled yet pragmatic approach to address these implementation challenges. Building on the Water Diplomacy Framework, EDF integrates engineering reasoning with diplomatic negotiation to reconcile quantitative indicators with contested social values and institutional complexity. We analyze SDG 6.4 using three metaphorical heuristics—“What is one plus one?”, “Where do we put the X?”, and “How do we divide 17 camels?”—to diagnose key gaps in current monitoring frameworks and uncover context-sensitive paths to action. Through comparative analysis of Singapore, Denmark, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Jordan, we show how EDF helps identify locally meaningful interventions where standardized metrics fall short. We conclude by outlining actionable steps for operationalizing EDF principles in SDG implementation, emphasizing the need to move beyond measurement toward negotiated, adaptive, and equitable solutions to achieve water sustainability goals. This manuscript introduces a novel decision-making framework—Engineering Diplomacy—that explicitly addresses ambiguity and contested values in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It offers actionable pathways toward more context-sensitive and politically feasible water governance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Resources Management in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities)
31 pages, 6625 KiB  
Article
Spatial Network Evolution of Water Resources Green Efficiency in Yellow River Basin Urban Agglomerations
by Lihong Zhao, Yuge Zhang, Fuzhu Li, Yuki Yi Gong, Hideyuki Hao Sun, Sing Lui So and Zehua Chen
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 984; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030984 - 25 Jan 2025
Viewed by 845
Abstract
This study evaluates the transmission relationships and spatial correlation network structure of water resources green efficiency among seven urban agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin from 2008 to 2022. Using the Super-SBM model, water resources green efficiency was measured. A modified gravity model [...] Read more.
This study evaluates the transmission relationships and spatial correlation network structure of water resources green efficiency among seven urban agglomerations in the Yellow River Basin from 2008 to 2022. Using the Super-SBM model, water resources green efficiency was measured. A modified gravity model was then employed to assess the spatial linkage intensity among cities. Social network analysis was applied to explore the structural characteristics and evolution patterns of the network. Results reveal a fluctuating water efficiency trend, characterized by “rising, then falling, and finally rising”, with an average efficiency of 0.561. Significant regional disparities and considerable potential for improvement persist. The water efficiency network displays an uneven structure, with intensified spatial linkages and a “dense in the east, sparse in the west” pattern. The overall network density is moderate, characterized by more benefits than spillovers. Zhengzhou, Xi’an, and Jinan emerge as key hubs, exhibiting strong external influence and rapid communication within the network. The distinct and stable core-edge structure underscores the importance of inter-regional collaboration to enhance overall water resources green efficiency. This study provides critical insights and policy recommendations for optimizing water resource allocation and promoting sustainable regional development in the Yellow River Basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Resources Management in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 4945 KiB  
Article
A Sustainable Water Resources Management Assessment Framework (SWRM-AF) for Arid and Semi-Arid Regions—Part 2: Refining the Conceptual Framework Using the Delphi Technique
by Badir S. Alsaeed, Dexter V. L. Hunt and Soroosh Sharifi
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4463; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114463 - 24 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1545
Abstract
In the first paper of this two-part series on the development of a sustainable water resources management assessment framework (SWRM-AF), a conceptual framework for arid and semi-arid regions was developed. The framework, rigorously selected through an extensive literature review, consisted of two main [...] Read more.
In the first paper of this two-part series on the development of a sustainable water resources management assessment framework (SWRM-AF), a conceptual framework for arid and semi-arid regions was developed. The framework, rigorously selected through an extensive literature review, consisted of two main parts: components and indicators. This second paper of the series utilizes the Delphi technique as a participatory method to refine the conceptual framework, working toward a final version. This technique employs an iterative questionnaire through which 60 expert stakeholders from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries were invited to assess 24 indicators across four components—social, economic, environmental, and infrastructure—and to assign their respective weights. However, while 40 accepted the invitation to be involved, only 33 participated in the first round. This paper identified that 97% of stakeholders in the first round were familiar with sustainability and its three pillars. The final result of the two rounds showed a preference for indicators within the social, economic, and infrastructure components to carry equal weights (i.e., four indicators within each of the three components were assigned 25% weighting each). In contrast, stakeholders identified that indicators within the environmental component should be assigned different weights. Therein, ‘Compliance of wastewater treatment plants with regulations’ and ‘Carbon dioxide emissions from desalination sector’ scored the highest and lowest weightings, accounting for 24.2% and 14.3% of the available weighting, respectively. The validation process resulted in a framework of 17 indicators. Thus, the refined and final version of SWRM-AF is presented and ready for implementation. The next stage of the research, which will keep the audience engaged, is to apply the newly developed SWRM-AF to an arid country and evaluate its effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Resources Management in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop