Private financing of water systems goes at least as far back as ancient Rome. But as the number of people served by private water companies grows, some cities that have tasted privatization have found it lacking.
"Because water is so abundant—it rains from the sky, it collects in the earth—it feels like it should be free. The United Nations even recognized water as a human right in 2010," writes Renuka Rayasam. "But delivering safe water comes at a cost, and the fight over who should bear that cost has transformed water—and the merits and shortcomings of privatizing it—into an ideological battleground."
After experimenting with partial water privatization for fourteen years, residents of Berlin paid more than a billion euros to buy out the two private companies who were responsible for day-to-day management of its water system.
"Privatizing water systems can sometimes make sense, though, Richard G. Little, an infrastructure-policy consultant, told me....Private companies can provide more professional management, bring new investment into neglected public water systems, and provide funds for research."
FULL STORY: WHO SHOULD CONTROL OUR WATER
Berlin to Consider Car-Free Zone Larger Than Manhattan
The area bound by the 22-mile Ringbahn would still allow 12 uses of a private automobile per year per person, and several other exemptions.
New HSR Train Conects Paris and Berlin
Officials hail the new route as a symbol of the friendship between two of Europe’s most important economic powers.
Aging Kentucky Water Systems Lack Funding and Resources
The state needs close to $8 billion over the next two decades to maintain and modernize its rural water infrastructure.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie