Biodiversity, water and natural resource management
Water and Cities
Ensuring Sustainable Futures
This report focuses on the urban water management challenges facing cities across
OECD countries, and explores both national and local policy responses with respect
to water-risk exposure, the state of urban infrastructures and dynamics, and institutional
and governance architectures. The analyses focus on four mutually dependent dimensions
– finance, innovation, urban-rural co-operation and governance – and proposes a solutions-oriented
typology based on urban characteristics. The report underlines that sustainable urban
water management will depend on collaboration across different tiers of government
working together with local initiatives and stakeholders.
Published on April 13, 2015Also available in: German
"OECD Cities are entering a new era in terms of water services and security. We need new ways of financing and managing urban waters. Planning ahead will mean a much lower bill than if we carry on as we are today." Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General