A SIMULTANEOUS APPROACH TO WATER—RESOURCE PROTECTION AND ECONOMIC STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT —A Case Study of Guanzhong Region in the Huanghe River Basin,China

A regional multiple-objective water-resource and economic optimization model was developed using a quantitative method of systematic analysis.Input to the model includes indexes of economic structure and development,water-resource utilization,wastewater and pollutant discharge,and investment in wastewater treatment.The model,which consists of producton-structure and industrial-structure optimization modules,was applied to the Guanzhong region in the middle reaches of the Huanghe(Yellow) River basin in China.By evaluating several alternative production and industrialization schemes,the modal indicate that water pollution will get worsen though wastewater treatment improves if the economy continues to develop at the planned speed without structural adjustment.However,the results also show that not only economic goals but also water-resource protection and pollution-control targets can be achieved under an alternative,recommended production and industrial structure.This example illustrates that economic development and environmental protection can be improved coordinately by the regional multiple-objective water-resource and economic optimization model.It provides an operable approach to the simultaneous sustained development of water resources and economic growth.

A simultaneous approach to water-resource protection and economic structural adjustment—A case study of Guanzhong region in the Huanghe River basin, China

A regional multiple-objective water-resource and economic optimization model was developed using a quantitative method of systematic analysis. Input to the model includes indexes of economic structure and development, water-resource utilization, wastewater and pollutant discharge, and investment in wastewater treatment. The model, which consists of production-structure and industrial-structure optimization modules, was applied to the Guanzhong region in the middle reaches of the Huanghe (Yellow) River basin in China. By evaluating several alternative production and industrialization schemes, the modal indicate that water pollution will get worsen though wastewater treatment improves if the economy continues to develop at the planned speed without structural adjustment. However, the results also show that not only economic goals but also water-resource protection and pollution-control targets can be achieved under an alternative, recommended production and industrial structure. This example illustrates that economic development and environmental protection can be improved coordinately by the regional multiple-objective water-resource and economic optimization model. It provides an operable approach to the simultaneous sustained development of water resources and economic growth. Foundation item: Under the auspices of the National Key Project (G19990436-01). Biography: WANG Xi-qin (1965 —), female, a native of Shaanxi Province, post-doctor of Institute of Environment Science, Beijing Normal University. Her research interests include hydrology water resource.