Water and cities

 

 

Cities globally can only raise and grow when they provide reliable access to water and sanitation, and when they can manage risks of too much, too little or too polluted water.

In OECD countries, cities have achieved high levels of protection against floods and storms, droughts, or water pollution, and a vast majority of city dwellers enjoy reliable water services. This remarkable achievement derives from distinctive combinations of infrastructures, business models and institutional arrangements. Whether and how these combinations are fit for future challenges is unclear.

 

The report Water and Cities: Ensuring Sustainable Futures explores water-related risks cities in OECD countries face. It sketches responses, with an emphasis on innovation finance, the urban-rural interface and institutional arrangements. Also available Water and Cities: Policy Highlights Find out more on OECD work on urban governance for water management Access the publication Water Governance in Cities