The prevailing attitude however is that water is a human right. Traditionally therefore water supply and drainage services have been strongly subsidized by governments. The results have been severe financial deficits and wastage of the resource through leakage and inefficiency of use. In recent years, rapid urban growth and insufficient finances have further restricted governments’ capacity to satisfy demands, extend distribution systems to areas with poor service, and provide adequate wastewater treatment prior to disposal or reuse.
Overcoming these challenges necessitates developing innovative ways for service provision, financing and regulatory structures and a focus on integrated water resources management. A new book from the World Bank, Cities in a Globalizing World –Governance, Performance and Sustainability, explores the latest trends in city development in the era of globalization and highlights what local governments can do to attract investments and overcome economic challenges in their cities, including the water sector. Options include improved governance, technology, and citizen empowerment. The book also focuses on African cities since Africa has experienced the most rapid urbanization the world has ever seen.
Collaborated on this highlight were Shelley McMillan and Noha Gaber, Guides, dgWater.
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In the Public Interest Health, Education, and Water and Sanitation for All This report argues that building strong public services in developing countries is at the heart of making poverty history. Doing this will transform the lives of millions of people - and, with political leadership, is well within our grasp. Governments must take responsibility for providing essential services that are well staffed, affordable fo. . . |
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Added by Jennie Morant September 16, 2006 | |
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Arab Public Opinion & Environment Survey The most comprehensive survey of the state of awareness and education of the Arab public vis-a-vis the Environment has been published by the Environment & Development magazine in June 2006. The survey was conducted in all Arab countries, and organized, analysed and edited by Mustapha K. Tolba the former Executive director of UNEP and the father of . . . |
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Added by Batir Wardam September 16, 2006 | |
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Watersheds of the World: Africa - Nile Watershed In the publication, Watersheds of the World (Revenga, et al., 1998), a watershed or river basin is defined as the entire area drained by a major river system or by one of its main tributaries. Often extending across one or more international boundaries, watersheds play a critical role in the natural functioning of the Earth. Watersheds used in Wate. . . |
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Added by Emmanuel Habumuremyi September 11, 2006 | |
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Merger of the World Bank's environment and infrastructure networks While mainstreaming environmental and social sustainability into Bank operations has been a longstanding goal of internal reformers and external critics for the past 20 years, certain criteria have to be met before the latest development is celebrated. The World Bank plan to merge its environmental and social development units with the department t. . . |
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Added by Karsten Weitzenegger September 11, 2006 | |
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Connecting poverty and ecosystem services The primary objective of this report is to identify regions within Rwanda where critical ecosystem services for human well-being are stressed. These regions were identified through an extensive literature review and research which spatially connected ecosystem services and human well-being within Rwanda. The framework of ecosystem services and huma. . . |
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Added by Dominique Nduhura September 6, 2006 | |
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Medio Ambiente y Urbanización Medio Ambiente y Urbanización is a sister journal to Environment and Urbanization. The two journals have similar editorial policies but only a small overlap in what they publish as Medio Ambiente y Urbanización concentrates on Latin America while Environment and Urbanization covers all regions of the world. Medio Ambiente y Urbanización receives su. . . |
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Added by Anuradha Bhattacharjee September 5, 2006 | |
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Environment and Urbanization Journal April 2006 Issue on Ecological Urbanization Environment and Urbanization Journal: This twice-yearly journal provides researchers, NGO staff and professionals in Africa, Asia and Latin America with the chance to write about their work, present their ideas and debate on issues. It promotes the work of French, Spanish and Portuguese-speaking authors by arranging for the translation of their wor. . . |
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Added by Anuradha Bhattacharjee September 5, 2006 | |
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Urban Publication Database This is a web-based database with details, abstracts and keywords for all papers that have been published in Environment and Urbanization. For all papers since 1995, there are also the web addresses of the full text of the papers. This database allows users to search for papers by topic, author(s), nation, city or keyword. It includes details of al. . . |
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| Added by Anuradha Bhattacharjee September 5, 2006 | |
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