It will take a concerted effort on the part of decision makers across sectors and institutions to. Ricas water source areas re port 20 an introduction to south africas water source areas the 8% land area that provides 50% of our surface water together investing in the future of south africas marine and freshwater ecosystems za. A wide range of water conflicts appear throughout history, though rarely are traditional wars waged over water alone. Water governance in cities urban, demographic and climate trends are increasingly exposing cities to risks of having too little, too much and too polluted water. This is still far from the jobcreation trajectory africa needs to fuel future growth, but it is progress. Water conflict is a term describing a conflict between countries, states, or groups over an access to water resources. Population living in slums in africa density of 31 african cities compared to reference cities water consumption per capita supplied by utility and continuity of. The africa water vision for 2025 is thus designed to avoid the disastrous consequences of these threats and lead to a future where the full potential of africas water resources can be readily unleashed to stimulate and sustain growth in the regions economic development and. Governance challenges and models for the cities of tomorrow. The way in which water is managed in cities has consequences both for city dwellers and for the wider community. The future of water in african cities world bank elibrary. This study provides examples of cities in africa and beyond that have. World urbanization prospects, united nations population division 2008. Appendix 2 diagnostic of water management for 31 cities in africa.
By 2015, the number of people living in towns and cities who were receiving piped water services had increased significantly. Water stress in subsaharan africa council on foreign. The future of water in african cities by world bank group. The future of water in africas largest city story of stuff.
About 61 % of the global population live in asia, the. The water and sanitation crisis in nairobi has worsened in 2000 when an important drought compelled the authorities to cut down water and electricity. The overall goal of this book is to change the way urban policy makers think about urban water management, planning, and project design in africa. Water is at the center of economic and social development. The emerging facts and challenges to planners by omoakin jelili. A staggering 90% of lagoss residents are forced to choose between buying water from private vendors who charge exorbitant prices and seeking water from contaminated sources. Scenarios for the future of water in south africa 2017 page 10 major water uses industrial sector uses 11% of water supply. Acf it started by working with the utility are worked to improve urban wash in to create the nairobi water action serv six of africas fastest. We now look to the future of this african city of opportunity. The report, scenarios for the future of water in south africa, offers an indepth analysis of the four scenarios outlined above.
We call on all countries to set realistic targets, develop achievable action plans, and. It is manifested by partial or no satisfaction of expressed demand, economic competition for water quantity or quality, disputes between. In many countries, this municipal socialism worked effectively, brought gains for the public budget, and provided perfect infrastructure for the big cities. In order to do that, this report uses the conceptual framework of integrated urban water management iuwm as a holistic set of planning and. Collective action plays a vital role in building a sustainable water future for all stakeholders. In this sense, riparian zones can serve as critical parts of green infrastructure for purposes such as protection from floods, provision of recreational spaces, and cleaning water while safeguarding biodiversity. African water cities project the impact of rapid urbanization and economic growth of cities in africa is now common knowledge, yet it can not be over emphasised.
Africa international decade for action water for life. The united nations recognizes that water disputes result from opposing interests of water users, public or private. Oxford economics global cities 2030 executive summary the global 750. Current models of urban planning and water management have already failed or likely to fail from the perspective of cost effectiveness, technical performance, social equity, and environmental sustainability. The complexity of these challenges coupled with future uncertainty due to climate change will require a more sustainable, integrated and adaptive water management approach. Iuwm will help policymakers in african cities consider a wider range of solutions, understand waters interaction with.
The water for african cities programme aims to reduce the urban water crisis in african cities through efficient and effective water demand management, minimize the environmental impact of urbanization on freshwater resources and boost awareness and information exchange on water management and conservation. Future trends and market opportunities summary executive. Trend analysis of waste disposal in an afrotropical urban river water body. For example in africa, even in urban area coverage for sanitation is 46% and water is 84% and the coverage is even significantly lower in the rural areas. These principles provide the yardstick against which the saeo report is developed, and assist in the tracking of our successes and. Water availability and management impacts whether poor girls are educated, whether cities are healthy places to live, and whether growing industries or poor villages can withstand the.
It affects every continent and was listed in 2019 by the world economic forum as one of the largest global risks in terms of potential impact over the next decade. The water for african cities wac programme aims to reduce the urban water crisis in african cities through efficient and effective water demand management, minimize the environmental impact of urbanization on freshwater resources and boost awareness and information exchange on water management and conservation. Managing water for african cities is a collaborative initiative of unchs habitat and unep, within the framework of the united nations systemwide initiative on africa and is a direct followup of the cape town declaration. Productivity in cities is three times as high as in rural areas and, over the next decade, an additional 187 million africans will live in cities, according to. Urban growth and water access in subsaharan africa hal amu. Second, africa is still urbanizing and much of the economic benefit lies ahead. Case studies explore the ways in which iuwm can help meet future water demand in african cities.
African cities can benefit from ecosystem services such as provision of clean air and water while developing their economies. Water management in cities dictates water availability in both quantity and quality upstream and downstream for other users. African cities are growing quickly, and their current water management systems cannot keep up with growing demand. While the problem of inadequate access to water and sanitation exists in both rural and urban areas, the problem is particularly pressing in cities. An introduction to south africas water source areas. As in most african cities, problems do not stem from the scarcity of water as such, but to the fact that 50 per cent of this water is wasted or diverted. The improvement of water conservation, water quality and wateruse ef. African cities are growing quickly, and their current water management systems cannot keep up with growing.
A more integrated, sustainable, and flexible approach, which takes into account new concepts such as water fit to a purpose, is needed in african cities. The african water facility iuwm projects the awf is supporting the adoption of an iuwm approach in several citiestowns as pilots for future water management in other african cities. Managing change to implement integrated urban water. Access to water and sanitation in subsaharan africa oecd.
Currently, access to safe water in subsaharan africa is worse than any other area on. Despite the fragile nature of many african cities and the problems associated with the urbanization process, some optimists have highlighted the opportunities of urbanization in africa. Ladoke akintola university of technology, ogbomoso, nigeria abstract this article unveils the circumstances surrounding urbanization and city development in africa. Pdf 15mb epub 15mb cited by the objective of this study is to assist public authorities to identify and address the future challenges of urban water supply, sanitation, and flood management in cities. From the second half of the 20th century, direct public interventions can be observed in the worst parts of the cities. Challenges and way forward in the urban sector executive summary v this, both the administration and political decision making have to work across sectors. Iuwm will help policymakers in african cities consider a wider range of solutions, understand water. By collaborating to mitigate risks, seize opportunities, as well as preserve and maintain this valuable shared resource, we can create a water secure future for south africa.
In this special coverage, we look at some african cities like lagos and kigali that. The process of preparing the master plan will take between 18 months to two years, and the technical assistance will be key in guiding the process of change. Fewer than 800 million people populated the earth in the mid18 th century. These actions could significantly shape the future of water in south africa. The future of water in africas largest city the people of lagos, nigeria have been waiting for years to receive safe, clean tap water in their homes. Future water supply for cities will also depend on the potential to sustain water resources of good quality in the river basin and to manage competing uses within the watershed.