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“Strategic Land Use Planning for Climate Change-Driven Water Shortages in El Alto, Bolivia”

Abstract

I2UD contributed to a research report that examines how the high-altitude city of El Alto, Bolivia faces water shortages driven by climate change—declining glacier melt, shrinking watersheds, rapid urban growth—and explores how land use planning and growth management can strengthen urban resilience.

The study shows that managing growth and land-use patterns is as important as water infrastructure—adaptation must integrate spatial planning, institutional capacity, and drought resilience to protect vulnerable populations in expanding cities. The study used land use scenarios and projected their impacts on water demands to guide the analysis.

Documents include the final report from 2013 and presentations in English and Spanish.

Project Year:2011-2013
Project Type:Research and Policy Discussion
Geographic Regions:El Alto, Bolivia
Reports:
Authors:Linda Shi; Marisa Escobar; Brian Joyce; James Kostaras
Sponsors:Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Categories:Climate Change and Resilience Building
  
ID:2011_10_001

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“Development of Infrastructure and Initiating of Sustainable Projects in Elim, South Africa,” Report for the 2001 UN-Habitat Best Practices Leadership Programme for Elim Historic Settlement, Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

The Center for Urban Development Studies (CUDS) at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design prepared a report “Development of Infrastructure and Initiating of Sustainable Projects in Elim” for submission to the UN-Habitat 2001 Best Practices Local Leadership Programme, based on the upgrading initiative that began in 1995 on the historic settlement of Elim in Western Cape, South Africa.

Primary initiative goals included:

  1. Upgrade the basic town infrastructure and services;
  2. Improve the living standards of the residents;
  3. Improve economic growth within the community;
  4. Preserve the historical character of the village; and
  5. Create employment opportunities, agriculture development, social health and sustainable community development in Elim.

The project assisted in upgrading sewage systems, streets and stormwater systems and the electrical reticulation system. Prior to these upgrades, sewage would flow through the streets and the town reservoir would often dry up in the summer months, causing a shortage of water.

[Excerpt: Summary, page 3]:

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Project Year:2001
Project Type:Development Strategy
Geographic Regions:Elim, Western Cape, South Africa
Reports:Development of Infrastructure and Initiating of Sustainable Projects, Elim, South Africa: (Report, August 2001)
Authors:CUDS Team
Sponsors:United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat)
Categories:Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading
  
ID:2001_08_001

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