The conceptual framework for measuring and evaluating urban water security (case study: Ahvaz metropolis)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

achieving urban water security is a major challenge for many countries. urban water security has created significant concern for urbanization and climate change. Having systems thinking and integrated management can help to understand the mechanisms that affect the long-term water security of a city. Today, the metropolis of Ahvaz has become one of the largest cities in Iran due to the development of economic, social, cultural, and political activities with the growing population. Considering that the process of urban construction and development and excessive population growth in this metropolis was not subject to a pre-determined and codified plan and its water supply and distribution plans were not consistent with the increase in population; Therefore, in this city, like all the big cities of Iran and the world, there are various problems in terms of water security. Global climate change, geographical features of this metropolis, environmental issues, pollution of water resources and insufficient water resources for the current population on the one hand and the other hand the increasing industrial use of water, the existence of large industries, and new and growing cities and towns around this The metropolis as well as the huge consumption of water in the agricultural lands around the city of Ahvaz has made the water resources more limited. The continuation of this trend is all reason for the need for comprehensive planning and assessment of water security for the future. to analyze the trend of changes in climatic parameters of precipitation and discharge of Ahvaz station, the period of 70 years ( 1330 - 1400 ) was studied And the time trend of changes in the aforementioned climatic parameters was calculated using the Menkendall non-parametric test in the monthly, seasonal and annual time series during the statistical period of the study. The results showed that during the studied period of the year, there have been changes in climatic parameters in the city of Ahvaz in the form of a decrease in precipitation and a decrease in discharge, and this has had consequences for the metropolis of Ahvaz. This study presents a systematic approach to better understanding urban water security, with a working definition and an assessment framework for application in urban areas. The assessment framework for achieving urban water security depends on four main dimensions: Drinking water and humans, ecosystem, climate changes, and risks related to water and socio-economic factors. This framework allows further analysis of the relationships and trade-offs between urbanization and water security, as well as between the aforementioned indicators. Applying this framework will help governments, policymakers, and water stakeholders target scarce resources more effectively and sustainably. This study shows that achieving urban water security requires a comprehensive and integrated approach with common stakeholders to provide a meaningful way to improve the management and understanding of urban water security.

Keywords


Alizadeh, H. and Sharifi, A., 2020. Assessing resilience of urban critical infrastructure networks: A case study of Ahvaz, Iran. Sustainability. 12 (9), 51.
Abedi, S., 2020. Water governance and evaluation of its impacts on water and food security. Journal of Water and Sustainable Development. 7, 1-12. https://jwsd.um.ac.ir/article_32390.html?lang=en
Allan, J.V., Kenway, S.J. and Head, B.W., 2018. Urban water security-what does it mean? Urban Water Journal, 15, 899 – 910. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331060139_Urban_water_security_-_what_does_it_mean
Aboelnga, H., Saidan, M., Al-Weshah, R., Sturm, M., Ribbe, L. and Frechen, F., 2018. Component analysis for optimal leakage management in Madaba, Jordan. Journal of Water Supply Res. Technol. Aqua. 2018, 67, 384–396. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2063531651?sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals
Apraku, A., 2023. Water security in rural Eastern Cape, SA: Interrogating the impacts of politics and climate change. Scientific African. 19, 1-10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227622003970
Alisher, M., 2023. Severe climate change risks to food security and nutrition. Climate Risk Management. 39,  pp 1-6.  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212096322000808
Brown, R.R., Keath, N. and Wong., T.H.F., 2009. Urban water management in cities: Historical, current and future regimes Water Science & Technology 59(5):847-55 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24189175_Urban_Water_Management_in_Cities_Historical_Current_and_Future_Regimes
Becher, O., Pant, R.,Verschuur, J., Mandal, A., Paltan, H. and Lowless, M., 2023. A multi-hazard risk framework to stress-test water supply systems to climate-related disruptions. Earth’s Future. 1-18. https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2022EF002946
Bakker, K., 2012. Water security: Research challenges and opportunities. Science, 337, 914 – 915. https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1226337
Biswas, A.K., 2004. Integrated water resources management: A reassessment. Water Int, 29, 248–256. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230557443_Integrated_Water_Resources_Management_A_Reassessment
Bakker, K. and C. Morinville., 2013. The governance dimensions of water security: A review. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. A Math. Phys. Eng. Sci. 371 (2002): 20130116. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24080629/
Birkmann, J., Liwenga, E., Pandey, R. and Boyd, E., 2022. Chapter 8: Poverty, Livelihoods and Sustainable Development. Climate Change. PP155. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGII_Chapter08.pdf
Cheng, J., Yang, X. L., Wei, C. J.  and Zhao, W., 2004. Discussion on water security China Water Resour 21-23. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/39/1/012027
Chen, S., 2016. Analysis and predication of urban water security: a case studyof Chengdu City, China. International Conference on Water Resource and Environment, e 39 (2016). Chen, S., 2016. Analysis and predication of urban water security: a case studyof Chengdu City, China. International Conference on Water Resource and Environment, e 39 (2016).
Chenchen, S., 2022. How climate change is going to affect urban livability in China. Climate Services 26 (2022), 100284. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405880722000024
Chapagain, K., Tolba, A.H., Babel, M. and Ribbe, L., 2022. Urban water security: A comparative assessment and policy analysis of five cities in diverse developing countries of Asia. Environmental Development. 43(4):100713. https://www.apn-gcr.org/publication/urban-water-security-a-comparative-assessment-and-policyanalysis-of-five-cities-in-diverse-developing-countries-of-asia/
Chang, H. and Bonnette, M.R., 2016. Climate change and water-related ecosystem services: Impacts of drought in California, USA. Ecosystem Health and Sustainability, 2(12). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311939565_Climate_change_and_water-related_ecosystem_services_impacts_of_drought_in_California_USA
Clement, F., 2013. From water productivity to water security: A paradigm shift. In Water Security Principles, Perspectives and Practices; Lankford, B. A., Ed.; Routledge: Abingdon, UK; pp. 148–165. https://www.academia.edu/33741150/From_Water_Productivity_to_Water_Security_A_paradigm_shift
Chad, S. and Christopher, A.S., 2018. Putting water security to work: Addressing global challenges. Water Int, 43, 1017–1025. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329575401_Putting_water_security_to_work_addressing_global_challenges
Falkenmark, M., 1989. The massive water scarcity now threatening Africa: Why isn’t it being addressed? Ambio, 18, 112–118. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4313541
Grafton, Q. A., Daniell, K., Nauges, C., Rinaudo, J. and WahChan, N., 2015. Understanding and Managing Urban Water in Transition, 1st ed.; Springer: Berlin, Germany; 318p.. https://hal.science/hal-01290502/document
Gheuens, J., Nagabhatla, N. and Perera, E., 2019. Disaster-Risk, Water Security Challenges and Strategies in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Water, 11, 637. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/11/4/637
Gerlak, A.K., House-Peters, L., Varady, R., Albrecht, T., Zuniga Teran, A., de Grenade, R. and Scott, C.A., (2018). Water security: A review of place-based research. Environ. Sci. Policy, 82, 79–89. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322923958_Water_security_A_review_of_place-based_research
Grey, D., Sado, C.W.  and Sink, S., 2007. Water security for growth and development. Water Policy, 9, 545–571. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/255681468314995282/pdf/442170WP0Water1Box0327386B01PUBLIC1.pdf
Hartley, K., Tortajada, C. and Biswas, A.K., 2017. Confronting global security in an era of water instabilities. Foreign Policy J. Available online: https://www. foreignpolicyjournal. com/ 2017/ 02/03/confronting-globalsecurity-in-an-era-of-water-instabilities (accessed on 22 November 2019).
Haddeland, I., Heinke, J., Biemans, H., Eisner, S., Flörke, M., Hanasaki, N. and Stacke, T., 2014. Global water resources a_ ected by human interventions and climate change. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 111, 3251–3256. https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1222475110
Han, Y, P. and Ruan, B, Q., 2003. Research on evaluation index system of water safety Acta Scien. Circum. 23 267-72. https://arya.mui.ac.ir/article_10679_1c01884f698ab3798f98be97ab2db41b.pdf
Howard, G. and Bartram, J., 2003. World Health Organization. Water, Sanitation and Health Team. Domestic Water Quantity, Service Level and Health; World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2003. https://www.solidarites.org/en/taking-aid-further/combatting-waterborne.
IPCC., 2007. Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York, NY, USA. https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/03/ar4_wg2_full_report.pdf
Jimenez, B. and Asano, T., 2008. Water Reclamation and Reuse around the World: An International Survey of Current Practice, Issues and Needs; IWA Publishing: London, UK; pp. 27–48. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312489649_Water_Reclamation_and_Reuse_around_the_World
Jin, C, L. and Gong, L., 2009. On the urban water security assessment based on the Pressure-State -Response model Saf. Env. 9 104-8.
Jaramillo, P. and Nazemi, A. 2022. Assessing urban water security under changing climate: Challenges and ways forward. Sustainable Cities and Society, 1-5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316247553_Assessing_Urban_Water_Security_under_Changing_Climate_Challenges_and_Ways_Forward.
      Jia, S. F., Zhang, J.Y. and Zhang, S. F., 2002. Regional water resources stress and water resources security  appraisement indicators Prog. Geogr. 21538-45. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371283831_Regional_water_resources_security_assessment_and_optimization_path_analysis_in_karst_areas_based_on_emergy_ecological_footprint.
Karmakar, M. and Pradhan, M.M., 2020. Climate change and public health: a study of vector-borne diseases in Odisha, India. Nat Hazards 102:659–671.  https://www.x-mol.net/paper/article/1225042054683869184.
Kees, C., 2018. Urban Water Security Dashboard: Systems Approach to Characterizing the Water Security of Cities. J. Water Resour. Plann. Manage., 2018, 144 (12): 04018075. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328104872_Urban_Water_Security_Dashboard_Systems_Approach_to_Characterizing_the_Water_Security_of_Cities.
Lozet, F. and Kim, E., 2013. Water and Environmental Security for Conflict Prevention in Times of Climate Change, Global Water Institute, Brussels. https://www.planetarysecurityinitiative.org/sites/default/files/2017-05/Briefing_Note_PSI_Water_climate_and_conflict.pdf.
Maheshwari, B., Singh, V. and Thoradeniya, B., 2016. Balanced Urban Development: Options and Strategies for Liveable Cities., Volume 72,  Springer: Berlin, Germany. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345898186_Balanced_Urban_Development_Options_and_Strategies_for_Liveable_Cities.
Milhahn, K., 2019. Cities: a cause of and solution to climate change. UN News. Retrieved January, 15, 2022. https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/09/1046662.
Mohammadi, D.M. and Ghaedi, S., 2020. Climate Change and Ecological Migration: A Study of Villages in the Province of Khuzestan, Iran. Vol. 76 No. 1 (2020). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340277501_Climate_Change_and_Ecological_Migration_A_Study_of_Villages_in_the_Province_of_Khuzestan_Iran.
Mekonnen, M., 2017. Forms and drivers of annual stream low variability in the head waters of Canadian Prairies during the 20th century. Hydrological Processes. Volume31, Issue1, January 2017,Pages 221-239. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hyp.11036.
Narain, V.M.S.A., Khan, R., Sada, S., and Prakash, A., 2013. Urbanization, peri-urban water (in) security and human well-being: A perspective from four south Asian cities. Water Int. 38 (7): 930 – 940. https://ideas.repec.org/a/taf/rwinxx/v38y2013i7p930-940.html.
Pahl, W, C., 2007. Transitions towards Adaptive Management of Water Facing Climate and Global Change. Water Resour. Manag, 21, 49–62. https://econpapers.repec.org/article/sprwaterr/v_3a21_3ay_3a2007_3ai_3a1_3ap_3a49-62.htm.
Sadoff, C.W., 2015. Securing water, sustaining growth: Report of the GWP/OECD task force on water security and sustainable growth. Oxford, UK: Univ. of Oxford. https://www.academia.edu/101431106/Securing_Water_Sustaining_Growth_Report_of_the_GWP_OECD_Task_Force_on_Water_Security_and_Sustainable_Growth.
Shi, Z.T. and Liu, X.Y., 2008. Concept and connotation of urban water security China Hydrol. 28 24-27. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/am/pii/S1877343516300720.
Tong, F. and Dong, Z. C., 2009. Water security scenario analysis: methodology and a case study Proc. of 16th IAHR-APD Congress and 3rd Symp. of IAHR-ISHS (Nanjing) vol 1 (Berlin: German Springer), pp 307-13. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252005294_Water_Security_Scenario_Analysis_Methodology_and_a_Case_Study_in_South_China
UNESCO. and UNESCO, i-WSSM., 2019. Water Security and the Sustainable Development Goals Global Water Security Issues (GWSI) Series; UNESCO Publishing: Paris, France. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000367904.
UN (United Nations)., 2014. World urbanization prospects: The 2014 revision, highlights (ST/ESA/SER.A/352). New York: UN. https://population.un.org/wup/publications/files/wup2014-report.pdf.
UN (United Nations)- Water., 2013. Water security and the global water agenda. New York: UN. Varis, O., A. K. Biswas, C. Tortajada, and J. Lundqvist. 2006. Megacities and water management. Int. J. Water Resour. Dev. 22 (2): 377 394.  https://www.unwater.org/sites/default/files/app/uploads/2017/05/analytical_brief_oct2013_web.pdf.
Vorosmarty, C.J., McIntyre, P.B., Gessner, M.O., Dudgeon, D., Prusevich, A., Green, P., Glidden, S., Bunn, S. E., Sullivan, C.A. and Liermann, C.R., 2010. Global threats to human water security and river biodiversity. Nature, 467, 555–561. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20882010/.
Wheater, H.S. and Gober, P., 2015. Water security and the science agenda. Water Resour. Res, 51, 5406–5424. https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2015WR016892.
Wakeel, M., Chen, B., Hayat, T., Alsaedi, A. and Ahmad, B., 2016. Energy consumption for water use cycles in different countries: A review. Appl. Energy, 178, 868–885. https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v178y2016icp868-885.html.