I found this rather fun video clip….http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=hOE7mvO9juU... on swimming in London. And a map of hotels in London with pools.
http://www.bestloved.com/maps/accommodation/hotels-with-swimming-pools-map-london-england-uk.php
However, they are not big on providing photographs of the swimming areas, nor I guess do they say much about the advantages of indoor swimming pools in a cool climate.

Nicholas Grimshaw’s Thermae Bath Spa in the famous resort town of Bath has both indoor and outdoor swimming opportunities. http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=3071693.

It will be very interesting to watch the growth of the trend for natural swimming pools in the UK. And to see, if as you suggest, advances in the technology promote alternative uses within cultural heritage and water conservation. If so, the future looks bright!

In an attempt to find ways of relieving the chronic water shortage problems in Delhi, the Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)in 1998 conducted a study on the benefits of reviving these baolis.

According to Mukesh Khosla the report titled ‘Blue Print for Water Augmentation in Delhi’ suggested several steps for harvesting ground water to the Delhi government. According to Suresh Rohilla of INTACH, “Because of the steep depletion in the level of ground water, we must start making use of traditional methods of harvesting rain water inside these baolis.”

However, contemporary standards of water quality (and perhaps modern population pressures) require some adaption to the way in which the water in the stepwells are managed. Inexpensive solutions which have been suggested include replicating the principles of wetlands by the introduction of aquatic plants and fish.[http://www.the-south-asian.com/Sept2000/baolis.htm]

Eminent Sri Lankan Judge Waramantry in his opinion in the Danube Dam Case [a landmark case in environmental law] said “especially at the frontiers of the discipline of international law, (thinking) needs to be multi-disciplinary, drawing from other disciplines such as history, sociology, anthropology and psychology such wisdom as may be relevant for its purpose.” We should of course include landscape and architecture as disciplines which could also inform the development of environmental law (and sustainable practices).

Waramantry believes traditional culture, indeed world culture, is a rich untapped source of wisdom for the development of modern environmental law. He cites instances from Hindi culture (http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6083);

“It is clear that the most ancient texts on Hinduism demonstrate through the praise of the deities an ecological awareness and great respect for the natural world. There are many specific teachings on environmental matters contained in all these writings and ecological activists have drawn much inspiration from the text. A few examples are:

* “Do not cut trees, because they remove pollution.” (Rig Veda, 6:48:17)

* “Do not disturb the sky and do not pollute the atmosphere.” (Yajur Veda,5:43)

* Destruction of forests is taken as destruction of the state, and reforestation an act of rebuilding the state and advancing its welfare. Protection of animals is considered a sacred duty. (Charak Sanhita)

All of this is an enormous source of concepts, principles, traditions and practices which is of deep relevance to the study of the future of humanity and of the long-term perspectives which it is so essential to bring into the thought-frames of the present generation.”

It would be wonderful indeed to see the revival, re-valuing, adoption and implementation of indigenous water technology and sustainable practices across India. And following Hindi advice globally we could place greater emphasis on the value on forests, trees and fauna.