Planning and Management of Water
Code: 104265 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Geography, Environmental Management and Spatial Planning | OP | 4 |
Contact
- Name:
- Marc Pares Franzi
- Email:
- marc.pares@uab.cat
Teachers
- Begoņa Martinez Lopez
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
To take this course it is recommended to have previously completed the course 'Dynamics of Water, Energy, and Natural Resources'.
Objectives and Contextualisation
This course aims to provide students with the conceptual and practical tools for water planning and management in Mediterranean environments, in order to address hydrological challenges from both environmental and socio-economic perspectives. Specifically, it will delve into the understanding and management of the water cycle from physical, socio-economic, and systemic viewpoints. The course will offer methodologies, techniques, and tools for managing the water cycle, including water policies, flow regulation, aquifer management, energy use, irrigation systems, water collection and distribution for domestic and industrial purposes, wastewater treatment, and more.
Learning Outcomes
- CM06 (Competence) Carry out team work that promotes commitment to the team, the habit of collaboration and joint problem-solving skills.
- KM38 (Knowledge) Define the planning and management of the water cycle and/or energy management from a physical, socio-economic and systemic point of view.
- SM30 (Skill) Use instruments and mechanisms for the management and planning of water resources and energy resources in a specific practical case.
- SM30 (Skill) Use instruments and mechanisms for the management and planning of water resources and energy resources in a specific practical case.
Content
Module 1. Introduction to the Integrated Water Cycle
1.1. The integrated water cycle
1.2. Historical and sociodemographic context
1.3. Mediterranean context
1.4. Effects of global change on river systems
1.5. Status of water resources
1.6. Water pollution
1.7. Water characterization
Module 2. Urban Water Cycle
2.1. Water supply
2.2. Sanitation
2.3. Reuse
2.4. Nature-based solutions
2.5. Water resources balance
Module 3. Application of GIS in Water Planning and Management
3.1. GIS applied to water planning and management
3.2. GIS practical session
Module 4. Ecology of Water Bodies
4.1. The Water Framework Directive
4.2. The concept of ecological status
4.3. Assessment of ecological status
Module 5. Economic Management of Water
Module 6. Conflicts in Water Planning and Management
6.1. Identifying the stakeholders involved
6.2. Issues, discussion, and decision-making
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Field work | 4 | 0.16 | SM30, SM30 |
| Lectures | 25.5 | 1.02 | KM38, KM38 |
| Practical sessions (PAUL) | 16.5 | 0.66 | CM06, SM30, CM06 |
| Visits | 4 | 0.16 | KM38, KM38 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Practical exercices | 20 | 0.8 | SM30, SM30 |
| Tutorials | 5 | 0.2 | |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Information search | 35 | 1.4 | |
| Oral speech | 3 | 0.12 | |
| Report | 35 | 1.4 | |
| Visit questionnaires | 2 | 0.08 |
This course will be delivered through lectures, practical activities, two site visits, and a field trip (assessment of the ecological status of a river).
Among the practical activities, one will involve the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Several sessions will focus on analyzing and proposing solutions to conflicts related to water planning and management. This part of the course will be carried out through group work, including oral presentations by students.
During the site visits and field trip, the Faculty’s Field Trip Protocol will be applied. Students will have access to specific safety documentation for activities conducted off-campus, which they must read and accept.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecological state assessment | 25% | 0 | 0 | SM30 |
| GIS practice | 15% | 0 | 0 | KM38, SM30 |
| Project | 40% | 0 | 0 | CM06, SM30 |
| Visit questionnaires | 20% | 0 | 0 | KM38 |
The assessment of the course will be based on the following components:
- GIS Practical (15%). A specific case will be presented to be solved using Geographic Information Systems: identifying a water body and calculating the percentages and/or surface area of its land uses and cover types. A map must be exported with a topographic base and orthophoto.
- Ecological Status Assessment (25%). A field trip will be conducted to the Besòs or Tordera river basin, where students will assess the ecological status of a specific river section. The theoretical sessions will provide the necessary tools for students to carry out their own assessment.
- Visit Questionnaires (20%). For each site visit, students must complete a questionnaire with questions related to the visit and the corresponding theoretical content.
- Group Project (40%). In groups, students must investigate a water planning and management issue, identify the main stakeholders, analyze the conflicts, and propose solutions that benefit as many parties as possible. This project will consist of an oral presentation (20%) and a written report (20%).
Submission of all activities is mandatory in order to receive a final grade.
Submission of Activities
Submissions received after the deadline set on the Virtual Campus will be marked as "Not Submitted", except in duly justified cases.
Review of Grades
At the time of each assessment activity, the teaching staff will inform students (via Moodle) of the procedure and date for grade review.
Resit Assessment
If two of the assessed activities have not been submitted or have been failed (score below 5), students may take a resit exam.
The final grade after the resit cannot exceed 7.
Students wishing to improve their grade may also take the resit; in no case will it lower their existing grade.
Assessment activities involving irregularities are not eligible for resit.
Non-Assessable Students
Students will receive a "Not Assessable" grade if they have not submitted more than 30% of the assessment activities.
Plagiarism or Fraudulent Conduct
If a student commits any irregularity that may significantly affect the grade of an assessment activity, that activity will be graded with a 0, regardless of any disciplinary action that may follow. If multiple irregularities are detected in the same course, the final grade will be 0.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted in this course only as a support tool. Students must clearly identify which parts were generated using AI, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced the process and final outcome. Lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in partial or full penalties on the activity grade, or more serious sanctions in severe cases.
Single Assessment
This course does not offer a single assessment option.
Bibliography
At the begining will be gives the reading list
Software
Office and GIS software.
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |