Water in Cities: biggest challenge and learning alliances

The biggest challenge in relation to urban SWM is...

... firstly, how to achieve cooperation between different kinds of expertise within the urban water sector and, secondly, how to link the technological solutions to financial aspects and to political opportunities. Many good technological solutions are already available, but we need to explore what is politically possible and how the solutions can be financed. Furthermore, the media is essential in communicating and engaging the public and other key stakeholders. The Conference provides a great opportunity to face these current challenges, since technical, political and media delegates are exploring solutions together.

Learning Alliances as tools to strengthen cooperation within the urban water sector.

As most problems in urban water management involve more than one actor, solutions require coordination between several actors. In many cities, the connections between stakeholders are not strong enough. SWITCH aims to strengthen these connections and improve coordination via Learning Alliances. In Belo Horizonte, Brazil, for example, Learning Alliances between stakeholders were created at different levels. This led to the creation of a wide array of policy options and to the critical assessment of technological solutions on their social impacts. Concrete results of this multiple stakeholder approach were for example an ecological river restoration project, and the establishment of several demonstrations in parks, community gardens and schools.