Water is part of the 'critical natural capital' that provides a range of ecological and environmental functions for which there are no alternatives. The continuing lack of access to safe water and sanitation highlights one of the most important challenges of its social and well-being dimension, whilst the economic benefits derived from its exploitation as an input in agriculture and energy production demonstrates its commodity status. Studying how environmental policy and planning seeks to manage the many demands on water as an environmental resource and the myriad of water environments, as well as examining how environmental management interacts with the economic and political frameworks which shape water policies is a central concern of this module. Tools, techniques, strategies and policies that recognise the multi-functional nature of water resources and water environments, and encourage new modes of sustainable use are explored through a series of thematic case studies at global, 'North' and 'South', national and local river basin scales. A feature of the module is a field day exploring wetland and urban river water environments to examine the challenges of managing at the local scale.

LO 1, 2, 3 – A critical review of the challenges and opportunities available to promote the sustainable use of wetlands in lowland England. This uses a field visit (either in person or virtual) to engage in observation of a multi-functional wetland site and from which resources are developed for the review which includes stakeholder analysis, ecosystem service mapping and a discussion of management approaches.

The module will be delivered through a combination of:

Classes that will combine, on a flexible basis, online seminars with workshop exercises and be used to introduce theoretical concepts and to explore case studies.

Practical field-based evaluation – either in person (or via a virtual fieldcourse) undertaken at a local wetland site. Sustainable travel will be used (train from Stoke).

Independent learning through guided reading from core texts and the use of web-based materials to develop a detailed knowledge of selected at UK, European and global scales.

Assessment Preparation for planning, researching and writing

Opportunities for formative feedback will be provided during class discussions when key concepts are checked. A draft plan of the report will be encouraged and verbal feedback provided 1 2 1 before final submission.

UNDERSTAND THE NATURE, CHARACTER AND GEOGRAPHICAL DIVERSITY OF THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES AND DEVELOPMENT MODES, AND THE FACTORS SHAPING THESE

DEMONSTRATE AN ADVANCED AND CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF PRINCIPLES, POLICIES, TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES WHICH MAY UNDERPIN THE ENHANCEMENT OF WATER SECURITY AND HOW THESE MAY BE APPLIED TO CREATE THE BASIS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

SYNTHESISE, ANALYSE AND REFLECT ON MATERIAL FROM A RANGE OF SOURCES RELATING TO WATER RESOURCE USE, AND PROVIDE COHERENT AND REASONED ARGUMENTS ON KEY ISSUES AND DEBATES.

High quality teaching space with usual audio-visual facilities.
Library resources both physical and online.

Coolsaet, B (Ed.) (2021) Environmental Justice: Key Issues. Abingdon: Earthscan (Routledge) Feldman, D. L. (2012) Water (PRS – Polity Resources Series)

Jones, J.A.A. (2010) Water Sustainability. A Global Perspective London: Hodder Education
Hoekstra, A. Y. (2020) The Water Footprint of Modern Consumer Society, 2nd Edition. Available at http://ayhoekstra.nl/publications/the-water-footprint-of-modern-consumer-society/

Martin-Ortega, J., Ferrier, R. C., Gordon, I. J., Khan, S. (2015) Water Ecosystem Services: A Global Perspective Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Koundouri, P.,Akinsete, E. (Eds) 2018. Sustainable River Basin Management. Special Issue Sustainability, 10, 1056:doi:10.3390/su10041056 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/special_issues/river_basin_management

UNESCO (2012) Managing Water under Uncertainty and Risk World Water Development Report (WWDR4)

PLUS up to date journal papers / articles set as reading each week.