Legislation - Policy

Water Must Drive City Planning

Six of the ten largest US cities are located in the arid southwest region. Would that be the case if water availability had influenced land use planning a century ago? The predicted scale of future urban growth means that land use planning and regional growth plans simply must consider where people’s water will come from.

Urban planners must take water availability into account when considering new developments.

Keeping up with global urban growth projections for 2030 will mean developing an area the equivalent of 20,000 American Football fields a day between now and 2030. And it’s estimated that accommodating the water demands of this growth will take the equivalent of 20 Nile Rivers. We have to think about where this water will come from and plan accordingly.

Traditionally, growth has been based on economic activity, business and industrial opportunities, education, transport and commerce. But now water availability needs to drive how and where cities grow. Otherwise tension will arise between nations (or within nations). We could see water wars or, in the worst case, cities may not have enough clean water to supply their residents.

Factoring in water availability could significantly change the shape of urban developments. The town […]

Summary
Article Name
Water Must Drive City Planning
Description
Growth has been based on economy, business and industrial opportunities, education, transport and commerce. But water needs to drive how and where cities grow.
Author
Publisher Name
Citi Io
Publisher Logo

Recent Posts

Invisible Threats: Understanding Water Contaminants in the U.S.

Clean water is essential for life, yet millions of Americans unknowingly consume contaminants through their…

2 months ago

High levels of microplastics in human brains appear to be increasing

Human brains contain higher concentrations of microplastics than other organs, according to a new study, and the…

2 months ago

California: executive order to help capture and store more water from severe storms

From the Office of the Governor: In anticipation of a multi-day, significant atmospheric river in Northern California,…

3 months ago

Experts give the real facts on California water

From Governor Newsom: Scientists, water managers, state leaders, and experts throughout the state are calling…

3 months ago

Water Quality and Protection

Photo: A harmful algal bloom in Milford Lake, Kansas, made the water appear bright green.…

3 months ago

World’s Fifth-Largest Economy Is About to Ban Most Polystyrene Foam

An expanded plastic foam coffee cup is at a donut shop in Monterey Park, California.…

4 months ago