Urban Water Trajectories

Water is an essential element in the future of cities. It shapes cities' locations, form, ecology, prosperity and health. The changing nature of urbanisation, climate change, water scarcity, environmental values, globalisation and social justice mean that the models of provision of water services and infrastructure that have dominated for the past two centuries are increasingly infeasible. Conventional arrangements for understanding and managing water in cities are being subverted by a range of natural, technological, political, economic and social changes. The prognosis for water in cities remains unclear, and multiple visions and discourses are emerging to fill the space left by the certainty of nineteenth century urban water planning and engineering.

Sarah Bell's (the lead editor) research interests lie in the relationships between engineering, technology and society as they impact on sustainability, particularly in relation to water systems. She uses research methods informed by theories from the science and technology studies, philosophy of technology and philosophy of engineering. She has supervised work in Australia, the UK, Mexico, Pakistan and Peru and has worked with a number of external partners including Waterwise, Arup, AECOM, Thames Water and WWF. She tweets @sarahjaynebell and blogs.