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Abstract: Debates on degrowth have mainly focused on theoretical issues, specially around the unsustainability of the current economic model based on growth. Along those lines some scholars have dealt with the opportunities and barriers to voluntary social action for degrowth at a general level. Notwithstanding the key importance of such debates, we argue that local strategies to move towards degrowth are still to be explored. Departing from the specific case of water, in this paper we interrogate the compatibility of non-conventional centralised and decentralised water supply technologies (desalination, reclaimed water reuse, greywater reuse and rainwater harvesting) with degrowth principles. Taking as a case study the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (Spain), a social multi-criteria evaluation has been performed to explore the feasibility, desirability and acceptability of both models. The paper aims to explore the pros and cons of the different water alternatives in two different (and hypothetic) societies: one based on growth (business-as-usual) and one based on degrowth. The technical analysis reveals that rainwater harvesting and reclaimed water reuse are the most preferred alternatives from a degrowth perspective while reclaimed water reuse and desalination are the most preferred alternatives from a growth perspective. The social multi-criteria analysis also serves to unveil which social actors may favour or block the adoption of each alternative. Notwithstanding that most social groups see desalination as the least desired option, this is the hegemonic non-conventional source in Spain which evidences the prevalence of growth discourses in water management. Local decision-makers, city council managers and environmental groups clearly opt for the promotion of rainwater harvesting and as a result, they appear as potential allies to promote degrowth in water consumption. The social multi-criteria evaluation helps to elucidate the main challenges that need to be addressed in the pursuit of a more sustainable and equitable water management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this paper is to provide insights of a Workshop entitled 'Inner Processes of Creation' w hich was held at the Global Conference on Cleaner Production and Sustainable Consumption, in Barcelona, Spain, in November 2015, with further perceptions on a presentation of the topic at ARTEM Conference on Creativity and Sustainability, in Nancy, France, in Septemper 2017. The Workshop was designed to catalyze the development of perceptions and consciousness of the inner wisdom, as it emerges in self-expression, by focusing upon the processes of awakening the wisdom from within, which can help all of us achieve better understanding of our reponsibility in helping societies to live sustainably, within planetary boundaries. The Workshop included four movements, with the themes: a) creation, b) definition, c) a specific way, and d) achievement with self realization. The research envolved the interdisciplinary, autopoïetic, and complex thinking view of the subject. During the Workshop, an environment of trust was created by regarding the participants with reverence and respect to their individual rhythms. The participants experienced and catalyzed new versions and plans for creative and sustainable organizational approaches of learning and development, in an environment of trust. Participants consciousness was enlarged towards envisioning sustainable proposals, in which we need to become more actively engaged. It was concluded, that the inner knowledge can be experienced through creative, meditative, visioning processes. When effectively facilitated, this process can bring deep understanding of meaning about different issues and can support the effective decision-making towards a constructive change-making, through sustainable proposals made individually and collectivelly. The blossoming of a flower in the golden ratio representing Poïesis. Poïesis is a Greek word that indicates making, creating, producing, and the unfolding of Life. This research shows the poïetic, dialogic and interdisciplinary dimensions, where development of living beings is recognized as continuous, like a spiral in movement and fluidity. The integration of all living beings is connected to the web of life in constant self-organization, which is dependent and autonomous, at the same time, establishing a dialogic relation. This meaning can be awakened in a variety of ways, by each individual who experiences the Workshop on the Inner Processes of Creation. Image 10022628 • The Workshop entitled 'Inner Processes of Creation' aimed at the awakening the inner worth. • The systemic approach of awakening the inner worth, can lead to sustainable proposals in decision-making. • Participants experienced the inner wisdom emerging in an experience of self-expression and introspection. • Introspection can play an important role in specific societal processes of sustainability. • New kind of participation in the cosmos can be gained via the awareness of nature to the divine in the mind and soul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Many urban areas suffer water scarcity but paradoxically, a local source of water such as rainwater is mostly treated as a risk rather than as a valuable resource. Scepticism regarding the use of rainwater harvesting technologies still prevails today, particularly in low precipitation areas. However, some regions such as the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (MAB) have started to promote the use of rainwater through specific regulations and incentives. This paper aims to examine the use of rainwater harvesting in the two main types of buildings prevalent in the MAB by analysing users’ practices and perceptions, drinking water savings and economic costs. Despite low precipitation inputs and a high variability of precipitation, daily balances show that toilet flushing demand of a single family house can be practically met with a relatively small tank. Rooftop rainwater can also meet more than 60% of the landscape irrigation demand in both single and multi-family buildings. The main drawback is the long pay-back period that rainwater harvesting systems present today. Nevertheless, it is remarkable that in multi-family buildings residents usually take no notice of the costs associated with the system. In contrast, benefits for the whole society are usually much more appreciated. Users’ reactions and their level of satisfaction towards rainwater harvesting systems suggest that both regulations and subsidies are good strategies to advocate and expand rainwater harvesting technologies in residential areas. However, a multidirectional learning environment needs to be promoted to ensure a proper use of rainwater harvesting systems and risk minimisation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Due to climate change, extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity. Thus, critical infrastructures as power distribution must be secure and resilient to respond to and mitigate the impacts caused by extreme events. Accounting that the most valuable assets, human lives, are currently hosted in cities, these are considered as the most sensible and critical zones and are also constituted as the main focus of study. This statement is reflected in the increasing interest in making cities more resilient against extreme events, becoming a key research topic worldwide. Trying to tackle this goal, this paper focuses on the development of a GIS-based tool oriented to help decision-makers in planning while providing unitary and global views of the electric assets of a network considering their interrelations in a failure case. The study follows three main steps to achieve this purpose. First, the flood risk assessment while evaluating the flood depth hazard (taking into account the Average of Water Depth found in the flooded areas), the exposure of the assets (using Affected Area Rates), and their vulnerability (with the integration of Fragility curves), putting all the elements together into Failure Probabilities considering the interrelation between assets and the potential cascade effects. Second, calculating a cost assessment (from damage, business interruption, auxiliary cost, and non-supplied energy). Finally, calculating electrical network reliability indices, which provides highly valuable information about the status of the grid and the interruptions to customers when considering scenarios of extreme flooding events. Intending to prove the use and performance of the tool developed, this tool is applied to a real case study in Barcelona city. This case of study is constituted by two flooding scenarios (Current situation and Climate change with RCP 8.5) previously modeled and validated in other projects, and the Climate change scenario with measures applied to the water sector (increasing the drainage capacity of the city, and improving capacities of the sewer system). It is demonstrated how the improvements introduced by measures are interrelated and considerably improve the safety of the electrical network, mitigating consequences provoked by flooding extreme events by 60% in case of Average of Water Depth, 50% the failure probability, and 77% the costs provoked. • A tool is validated demonstrating use and performance in Barcelona city. • Procedures to generate synthetic data using GIS operations are detailed and tested. • Corrective measures on the water sector directly affect to the electric system. • Failure probability on the Barcelona's Electrical system reduced up to 50%. • Cost of extreme flooding events and grid reliability parameters reduced up to 77%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]