Ciudades sustentables a partir de un paradigma hídrico emergente, caso de estudio: Toluca, México

From the second half of the 20th century, the increase in population growth, together with industrialization, urbanization, intensification of agriculture and changes in lifestyle, have resulted in a water crisis, which is one of the central problems of the 21st century. This article presents the evolution of water paradigms throughout history, along with a characterization of the municipality of Toluca to determine under which paradigm it currently exists and to enhance its qualities toward a sustainable focus on urban water management. The new water paradigm shifts from linear processes to cyclical ones that consider, among other factors, water treatment as a substitute for extraction, rain as an exploitable resource, and the allowance of new management strategies and technologies as part of a sustainable and integral solution to the water problem in cities.