Examining the institutional structure of water supply in several African cities, this talk looks at urban water reform from the perspective of users. In many places, a large proportion of urban households have exited or have never been connected to a networked supply, instead relying on a large array of formal, informal, state and non-state sources. At the same time, the lack of adequate and safe water for basic needs and livelihoods negatively impacts poverty reduction and well-being. In such scenarios, how can the needs and demands of all residents be equitably factored into planned urban development if their voices are missing or excluded from the planning process?

Charisma Acey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at the University of California, Berkeley.

Text credit GSAPP; image credit United Nations University