期刊名称：The Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa (JSDA)
电子版ISSN：1520-5509
出版年度：2006
卷号：8
期号：2
页码：47-47
出版社：Institute of Sustainable Development in Africa
摘要：Around the globe, the increasing use of water coupled with the environmental deterioration calls
for sustainable development of the limited water resources. Indeed, the challenges of water
resources sustainable development are enormous. Globally, some 1.1 billion people lack access
to safe water and 2.6 billion lack access to safe sanitation when 1.7 million premature deaths are
attributable to unsafe water, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene. A number of urban areas in Africa
are currently facing a crucial shortage of freshwater that threatens public health and impedes
social, environmental and economic development. As urbanization continues to increase,
continuous, comprehensive, coordinated and cooperative water resources management is
required for sustainable future of urban areas in Africa. The objective of this study was to assess
water resources sustainable development for selected urban areas in Africa. Using centralized
databases of international agencies, for the period of 1993 to 1998, urban information pertinent to
water resources were collected, analyzed and modeled. The study database consisted of
information regarding urban water accessibility, consumption, price, wastewater treatment, and
other pertinent social, environmental and economic indicators. After preliminary evaluation of
more than 150 cities in African region, due to data inaccessibility, incompleteness and missing,
39 cities were selected for detailed analysis. The statistical analyses for the selected cities
showed interesting results and relations in connection with urban water resources sustainable
development in different countries. For the period of 1993 to 1998, elasticity of database variables
were developed. Using elasticity¡¯s, a composite urban water resources sustainability ranking was
suggested. The developed elasticity¡¯s and composite rankings were used in taxonomy of the
selected cities, and reflected considerable variations in urban water demand and supply
development. As each urban area is unique in many historical, geographical, cultural, social,
political, environmental and economic aspects, any comparative appraisal needs due
considerations of local factors and issues. Nevertheless, the applied comparative appraisal
methodology is suggested as a compliment to any other type of appraisal to enhance urban
policies in support of sustainable urban water resources development. The study confirmed the
significance of African urban areas water resources sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
关键词：Water resources management, sustainable development, water accessibility, water
consumption, comparative analysis and evaluation.
