Urban Water Security (UWS) addresses various water challenges including urban and peri-urban areas where problems do not only depend physical water availability but also on social, cultural, economic, and political factors. UWS lies in the heart of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We are delighted that on 8 February, Dr. Subham Mukherjee, Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Sustainability Research and Education (IISRE), New Delhi, India will share his ongoing research on this important topic.
The seminar will take place between 12:00-13:30 GMT on Zoom
The event is free and open to all. Please register here.
Abstract:
This talk is based on ongoing research which aims to understand the complex, intertwined biophysical and socio-cultural relationships that shape the UWS from an emerging country perspective. It will show that, although several concepts and approaches for assessment of UWS have emerged, most of these approaches fail to consider social perspectives and their relationship with bio-physical environment at a micro level. Thus, to fulfil the disciplinary expertise and interdisciplinary knowledge fit to address and solve sustainable development’s societal challenges, this study advocates for an inclusive and interdisciplinary, community interest driven, UWS assessment framework – allowing us to understand the complex web of barriers to and opportunities for assuring water security for all in an urban area.
The talk draws on Kolkata, India as a case study. Kolkata is a growing mega-city in an emerging economy, which is facing rising pressures on water-environmental provisions due to the rapid population growth, urbanisation, and resultant governance as well as infrastructural issues. The talk discusses various aspects of the urban water (in)security in Kolkata and points out gaps of knowledge and challenges in securing water as a basic human right in post-pandemic urban systems.
Dr. Trude Sundberg, a collaborator of this project and a founding member of GSEJ, will chair this event.