Perverse Economics Of Water In The Desert

In a peverse twist of economics, the cost of water in Phoenix is so cheap that it's hard to believe the city is in the middle of a desert.

1 minute read

August 25, 2003, 5:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"Phoenix sees itself more an oasis in the desert rather than a community living with the desert... Even with the searing temperatures... you can sometimes almost forget that the nation's sixth-largest city rests in the middle of the desert... Before they even land, people flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport can see a 560-foot jet of water bursting from an artificial lake. The jet is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as being the highest fountain."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

FULL STORY: Water Flows Very Freely in Phoenix

Sunday, August 24, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

Infrastructure Arizona

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Learn More

Advertise with us

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.