Water-wise cities: 5 strategies to become one
By Tatiane Martins Carrer & Valeria Andrade
At a critical juncture marked by growing water uncertainty and rising global consumption—driven by urbanization and prevailing development models—cities have no choice but to adapt and prepare.
Here’s how.
What you will find in this insight
Five Strategies for future-ready, water-wise cities: Discover a practical roadmap—from circular water economies to nature-based solutions—that equips cities to tackle both water scarcity and flooding.
Innovation meets resilience: Explore how leading cities like Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Kampala and Los Angeles are combining technology, green infrastructure, and inclusive sanitation to build smarter, more sustainable urban water systems.
Governance that prioritizes water as a common good: Understand why water management must go beyond infrastructure—and become a national and civic priority backed by education, policy, and collective responsibility.
‘Extreme weather events, as a consequence of climate change, will increasingly affect the availability, quality and quantity of water for basic human needs. While short-term solutions can help rebound from water-related crises, the focus should now shift towards prevention more than ever. So, the question extends beyond immediate fixes to ponder: What measures can cities implement to address the water crisis?.’
