WATER SCARCITY TO WATER SECURITY: HOW CAN ASIAN CITIES ACHIEVE A SUSTAINABLE TRANSITION?

Abstract

Today, nearly half of the world population consists of urban residents. Fresh water, though essential for humans and eco-systems, is inadequately distributed over the world. Nearly one-fifth of the world population, that is 1.2 billion people, reside in a region of physical water scarcity, while another 500 million are soon to join the list. In addition, large areas of South America, Africa, India, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia and many more, have been exploiting their water resources, in pursuit of fast urbanization, development, agriculture and industry, leading to artificially created economic water scarcity. As our Asian cities are fast progressing, their population pressure is increasing. Though this provides a large capital of human resources, well thought, long-term planning is needed to ensure enough infra-structure, resource allocation and utility services to meet the growing demands. This is where many Asian cities are falling behind. Unprecedented demographic growth imposes substantial demands on the water supply and other utility services. Cities’ water supply systems fail to meet the ever increasing demand, due to various constraints such as inadequate source water, high loss due to leakage, poor maintenance of the system network and, most importantly, inadequate revenue generation by water utility boards. These deficits result in substantial gaps between demand and supply of water of sufficient quality and quantity. Once cities fail to upgrade their machinery in order to provide basic minimum facilities, they seem to move further behind in the development process. This leads to a vicious cycle, whereby cities, once they fall behind, will continue slipping down the track, as they cannot keep pace with improved infra-structure development or effective policy interventions. Lagging economies, financial constraints, political unwillingness, lack of farsightedness and absence of motivation, further aggravate their developmental failures. Since cities are the centre point of culture, trade, livelihoods and civilizations, their populations will continue increasing. Thus, it is necessary to find ways to safeguard sustainable futures for our cities, in terms of proper provision of basic utilities such as water, food, shelter, employment and health facilities. My dissertation aims to identify probable solutions for cities to ensure a sustainable recovery from water scarcity to water security. I have studied water management history in several Asian cities. In each case study, I have identified deficiencies and strengths in terms of technology development and innovative policy formulation. I have compiled these lessons and developed probable solutions for policy makers and city governments to consider for ensuring a secure water future, not just by improving supply-side management, but also by controlling consumer demands by inducing water conservation attitudes and awareness.