Sustainable Membrane Technologies for Enhancing Urban Climate Resilience

Growing wastewater volumes and intensifying water scarcity are driving the need for affordable, sustainable solutions that enable safe urban water reuse and strengthen climate resilience. Policy frameworks such as SDG6 and EU water reuse requirements highlight that reclaimed water must meet strict environmental and public health standards. In contrast, conventional biological treatment cannot fully remove many emerging contaminants, underscoring the need for advanced treatment approaches that consistently deliver high-quality reclaimed water. In this context, this review examines the role of membrane technologies (MF, UF, NF, RO, FO) and membrane bioreactors (MBRs) in providing safe water in urban environments and in enhancing urban climate resilience, including decentralized systems and advanced reclamation needs. It also discusses the contribution of membrane-based solutions to sustainable cooling systems and heat-stress mitigation, as well as the integration of membrane technologies into green infrastructure and nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. Technical and economic performance is shaped by fouling, cleaning requirements, and energy use, making life-cycle and operational optimization critical for long-term sustainability. Case studies and EU-funded initiatives demonstrate that, with appropriate governance and design, membrane-based approaches can enable reliable reclaimed water supply, enhance water security, and contribute to circular urban water management. The analysis was based on peer-reviewed open-access publications, which may introduce a degree of selection bias.