19 - Urban Water Management Problems in the Humid Tropics: Some Technical and Non-Technical Considerations

Summary

ABSTRACT

This chapter reviews the present situation within the humid tropics with respect to urban sanitation, drainage, disaster preparedness, health, and water supply. It stresses the point that urban water management requires a broad perspective of the impacts. It discusses the technical and non-technical aspects that are both causing the problems and are necessary for their solution. It reviews briefly some of the approaches available to the urban water experts who will be presenting solutions.

INTRODUCTION TO URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT

The theory

The rapid growth of population centers in the tropics continues, and the various resources required by the populations put ever-greater demands upon the environment. It seems clear that the growth must have its limits. Yet it is difficult to see at the moment, at least, any concerted effort to stop the deterioration of the landscape that is already obvious. The problem also is by no means limited to those urbanizing areas of the developing countries, with the concept of “bankruptcy” now being extended, in theory at least for the moment, to several cities in well-developed countries. The problems of maintaining, let alone improving, the infrastructures of these cities for the management of their water resources is of ever-increasing concern.

But, while the pressures of increased population create increased problems, the cities do offer some of the solutions. Because, as difficult (some would say impossible) as the situation appears, cities provide answers. As noted by Lugo (1991), “ … when human activity is concentrated, human needs are easier to satisfy, human environmental impacts are easier to manage, and the standard of living and quality of life are easier to improve.