Water in ArchitectureArchDaily Topic

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In the center of Cairo, The Nile River, one of the world's most iconic waterways, has shaped the course of civilization for thousands of years. Serving as a vibrant lifeline, connecting neighborhoods, and providing a bustling hub for transportation, the Nile River is an essential natural resource for arid Cairo. Throughout the country’s history, it has often been regarded as the source of life in fertility in its annual flooding, bringing richness to the surrounding lands. Interestingly, this year's edition of La Biennale di Venezia, the Pavilion of Egypt "NiLab" focused on exploring this layered water source and unfolding its effects on the built environment.

As awareness of water scarcity, water stress and environmental sustainability grows around the world, the concept of "water footprint" is becoming increasingly relevant. Unlike its more popular cousin, "carbon footprint", which focuses on greenhouse gas emissions, the water footprint (WF) provides a holistic view of water used throughout the life cycle of a product, process, or activity. It measures the amount of water consumed (directly and indirectly) and polluted –taking into account different types of water resources– and serves as a valuable tool for companies, policymakers, and individuals to understand and address their water-related impacts. There are even online calculators that measure our individual footprints through simple questions about our homes, appliances and even eating habits.

Environmental issues urgency and increasing temperatures on the planet are nothing new. There are many factors contributing to environmental degradation. However, two can be viewed as representative of critical points in the current world system: plastic and waste disposal, better known as garbage.