SWITCH city papers
A series of papers based upon joint assessments undertaken in SWITCH cities.
In 2008 and 2010 a series of 'city assessments' were undertaken to help document the processes followed by SWITCH in its focus cities and the project outcomes. Specifically, these assessments aimed to: 1) reflect on the effectiveness of the intervention logic followed, 2) identify recommendations for activities to be undertaken and 3) identify mechanisms to ensure sustainability and scaling up of the work done. The assessments were undertaken by teams made up of the local city coordinator (and team) and a peer from outside (IRC or another consortium partner). The assessments were followed by reflection workshops that aimed to draw out and synthesise key lessons.
Learning to work together on urban water management in the city of seven rivers: an assessment of the SWITCH project in Cali
07 Dec 10
This paper presents the results of the 2010 city assessment of Cali. It first outlines the methodology used. This is followed by explanation of the SWITCH approach in Cali, highlighting the intervention logic, team composition and activities, inputs and resources. One of the issues that had to be dealt with was the need to work together across agencies to address the serious challenges Cali is facing in water management.
Reflection on the achievements and lessons from the SWITCH urban water management initiative in Łódź, Poland
09 Dec 10
This paper presents the results of the city assessment of Łόdź, a city which has 18 waterways in its area. It offers insights for other SWITCH cities and similar initiatives that are aiming to bring ‘research into use’.
Lodz_Reflection on the achievements_Wagner et al.pdf (949.1 kB)
Towards integrated urban water management in Belo Horizonte, Brazil: A review of the SWITCH project
09 Dec 10
In the final year of the project, a review was undertaken of SWITCH experiences in Belo Horizonte, building on a 2008 mid-term review, both of which involved a review of documents and interviews with a sample of key stakeholders, including researchers among University staff and students, coordinators involved in project management and learning alliance facilitation, and research users such as implementing agencies and city authorities. This paper is the outcome of both assessments and presents the main results of the SWITCH project in the city, identifying lessons learnt and recommendations to support appropriate follow-up of the project in the city, as well as offering insights for other SWITCH cities and similar initiatives elsewhere.
BeloHorizonte_Towards integrated urban water_ Knauer et al.pdf (709.1 kB)
Integrated Urban Water Management in Lima
28 Dec 10
A review of the SWITCH Lima project: Building capacity for treatment and reuse of wastewater for green spaces and urban agriculture.
Lima_Building capacity for treatment_Castro et al.pdf (1.1 MB)
Zaragoza: Taking pride in integrated water management in the city
05 Jan 11
Each of the cities in SWITCH has built its own intervention logic and methodology, using some common elements. The objective of this paper has been to assess the intervention logic of SWITCH in Zaragoza, Spain, and to define recommendations for the future, so that the processes set in motion could be sustained and scaled up where relevant. It draws its conclusions on the basis of interviews with stakeholders from the city, as well as meetings with project staff involved in SWITCH Zaragoza.
Zaragoza_Taking pride in integrated water_Smits et al.pdf (644.1 kB)
Managing water risks in Birmingham, the city with the tastiest tap water in Britain
10 Feb 11
Birmingham is reputed to have the tastiest tap-water in Britain and it certainly has plenty of it. Why was a city with excellent drinking water selected to participate in an international project addressing problems in urban water management?
A Learning Platform to address Urban Water Management in the City of Accra. An assessment of the SWITCH project in Accra 2010
02 May 11
In order to assess how the SWITCH approach has contributed towards the future vision of Accra, a review of the work carried out in Accra under the SWITCH Project has been undertaken. This assessment was carried out as process documentation, through the review of available project documentation, such as progress reports, workshop reports, city stories, research reports, etc., review of research and demonstrations, and informal semi-structured meetings/interviews with stakeholders and members of the SWITCH Project Team, using a set of open questions.
Accra_A Learning Platform to address Urban Water Management_Verhagen et al.pdf (637.9 kB)
Beijing: alternative water sources for peri-urban agriculture. Building networks for sustainable use of rainwater and wastewater
02 May 11
SWITCH in China was mainly implemented in two cities, i.e. Beijing and Chongqing (later shifted to Chengdu). The basis for research and implementation work came respectively from two themes (work packages) under SWITCH: one on urban agriculture and the efficient use of rainwater harvest and the other on eco-sanitation.
Beijing_Alternative water sources_Veenhuizen et al.pdf (462.9 kB)
A step forward in integrated urban water management- SWITCH in Hamburg
14 Jun 11
After a five year program, the SWITCH project came to an end in January 2011. A mid-term review was undertaken in 2008, and in the final year (2010), a review was undertaken of the experiences of SWITCH in Hamburg. This paper is an outcome of both these assessments. It presents the main results of the SWITCH project in the city of Hamburg, which was one of the demonstration cities, and identifies lessons learned and recommendations that are intended to support appropriate follow-up of the project in the city as well as offering insights for similar initiatives elsewhere. As well as describing key aspects of the SWITCH project methodology in Hamburg the paper outlines the project’s theory of change in the city and the approach taken to develop the Learning Alliance.
Hamburg_A step forward in_Chlebek et al.pdf (371.4 kB)
Influencing urban water management through learning alliances - A second reflection on the process in Tel Aviv, Israel
14 Jun 11
Israel sees water as a strategic resource and the Israeli water sector is highly developed and managed around national, regional and local management bodies. This has resulted in a generally centralised, highly regulated water management structure with national policy handed down to the regional and city governments for implementation. Consequently, Tel Aviv has a small number of well-defined formal administrative structures responsible for water management. In addition, there are a number of multi-stakeholder platforms whereby developments in water management have long been the topic of discussion. The concept of the SWITCH Learning Alliance (LA) was, although slightly difficult to grasp initially, not wholly new to Israel.
Tel Aviv City Assessment Edited Final June 17 2011.pdf (919.4 kB)
