全球智库信息集成服务系统

Today, 54% of the world’s population live in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 66% by 2050. Major cities and municipalities in the region rely either fully or partially on groundwater. Four highly relevant Asian cities (Bangkok, Bandung, Ho Chi Minh and Lahore) were selected which bear groundwater dependency in the range of 45% to 100%. We assessed the current and future climate, quantify changes in climatic drivers, analyse vulnerability of groundwater recharge systems to the changes, and then formulate adaptation strategies to reduce the vulnerability of groundwater resources in these cities. The methodology included modelled backed analysis of groundwater (recharge) vulnerability which is then discussed with stakeholders (policy-makers, scientist, and local water users) via project events for prescribing possible adaptation options in the four cities. The results show Ho Chi Minh city and Bandung to receive lesser rainfall and Lahore and Bangkok to get more rainfall. Bangkok is the only city to have minor fluctuation in future temperature while all others have significant increase (up to 3.10C). In line with the rainfall projections, Ho Chi Minh and Bandung are projected to have decrease in groundwater recharge while the other two cities are expected to get boosted recharge rates. The project results are useful for groundwater management under climate change scenarios in the cities. Moreover, the e-conferences and regional workshops were found to be effective modes of capacity building.