Reason Science Correspondent Ronald Bailey examines Fredrik Segerfeldt's new book, Water for Sale: How Business and the Market Can Resolve the World's Water Crisis.
More than a billion people lack access to safe drinking water today. Reason Science Correspondent Ronald Bailey examines Fredrik Segerfeldt's new book, Water for Sale: How Business and the Market Can Resolve the World's Water Crisis, and writes, "...some countries have turned to the private sector and multinational companies for help in providing their thirsty poor citizens with water.
Privatization can mean selling entire water supply and treatment systems to private owners; long-term leases of water supply systems; or contracts to manage public water systems. In practical terms, the usual arrangement is a long-term lease. So far, only 3 percent of the poor in developing countries get their water from private-sector water systems.
However, these initial projects have provoked an outcry by anti-privatization activists around the world against a 'global water grab' by giant corporations. Segerfeldt shows that even imperfect privatization efforts have already successfully connected millions of poor people to relatively inexpensive water where government-funded efforts have failed. For example, before privatization in 1989, only 20 percent of urban dwellers the African nation of Guinea had access to safe drinking water; by 2001 70 percent did...Privatization is not a panacea, but Segerfeldt shows that, when properly done, it can play a huge role in bringing safe clean drinking water to the hundreds of millions of people who still lack it."
Thanks to Reason Alert
FULL STORY: Water Is a Human Right
Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.
Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion
The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.
NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project
Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.
Terre Haute Transit Goes Fare-Free
Buses in the Indiana city will be free as of January 2.
DC Bike Share Growing Fast, But Regional Gaps Remain
The wildly popular system ‘frays at its geographic edges,’ making its use less effective outside the central District.
Office Conversion Sees No Sign of Slowing
The adaptive reuse of office buildings for residential and other uses will grow by as much as 63 percent in 2024 over last year.
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.
Los Alamos County
City of Culver City
Skagit Transit
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners