URBEN

Linking urban design and health issues: an interdisciplinary approach

Coordinatore	TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN    more  Organization address address: Arcisstrasse 21 city: MUENCHEN postcode: 80333 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Werner Cognome: Lang Email: send email Telefono: +49 89 289 23988 Fax: +49 89 289 23991
Nazionalità Coordinatore	Germany [DE]
Totale costo	100˙000 €
EC contributo	100˙000 €
Programma	FP7-PEOPLE Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)
Code Call	FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG
Funding Scheme	MC-IRG
Anno di inizio	2011
Periodo (anno-mese-giorno)	2011-05-02   -   2015-05-01

 Partecipanti

#	participant	country	role	EC contrib. [€]
1	TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN  Organization address address: Arcisstrasse 21 city: MUENCHEN postcode: 80333 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Werner Cognome: Lang Email: send email Telefono: +49 89 289 23988 Fax: +49 89 289 23991	DE (MUENCHEN)	coordinator	39˙652.78
2	RHEINISCHE FRIEDRICH-WILHELMS-UNIVERSITAT BONN  Organization address address: REGINA PACIS WEG 3 city: BONN postcode: 53113 contact info Titolo: Ms. Nome: Daniela Cognome: Hasenpusch Email: send email Telefono: +49 228 737274 Fax: 49228736479	DE (BONN)	participant	60˙347.22

Mappa

 Word cloud

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Darchen in Tibet is a small town situated at the foot of the holy mountain Kailas, which lies near the source of five of Asia’s most significant rivers. The town has been expanding steadily over the last decade through the growing influx of pilgrims and tourists, which is expected to increase exponentially in the next few years. Concomitant economic growth is causing significant lifestyle changes for the population of Darchen. However, the town, situated in a semi-arid region, is already facing serious environmental issues due to a lack of water and sanitation infrastructure. Problems include inadequate supply of drinking water, water pollution, lack of waste water and solid waste management, rubbish dumping, etc. Further, the inhabitants of the town face a number of health issues, which may be partially related to inadequacy and pollution of drinking water. The aim of this study is to analyze the relation between water management and health issues, and to identify urban design solutions which may be appropriate to tackling the water management problem. The premise is that an analysis of health issues may visualize to policy and decision makers the advantages of urban infrastructure investment enabling adequate and clean drinking water supply in Darchen. Further, the research can serve to inform Eco-town models for the future development of other towns in the same region.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Following assessments of water quality and human health in Asian towns, researchers are working with local organisations to improve sanitation.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The EU-funded 'Linking urban design and health issues: An interdisciplinary approach' (URBEN) project is mapping the links between water quality, health issues and urban development in three rapidly expanding towns in Asia. The towns are Darchen in Tibet, Shaxi in China and Leh in India. The project's ultimate aim is to identify potential solutions and to develop a generally applicable 'eco-town' model.

In each of the three towns, researchers have conducted surveys of citizens and visitors. They collected local health data, and mapped the local water and sanitation infrastructure.

An analysis of the data from the town of Leh revealed that recent increased use of groundwater sources is linked to a rising number of diarrhoea cases. Furthermore, this groundwater extraction is unsustainable and energy-intensive.

URBEN is currently developing solutions for Leh in partnership with a local non-governmental organisation and with the aid of modelling software. These solutions will be implemented in other towns with similar problems to promote sustainable and healthy water systems.