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Basin-Connected Cities

Urban stakeholders of a water basin play a critical role in preserving the freshwater resources on which theyÌýdepend. A disruption in the supply of freshwater resources to cities can have significant socio-economic,Ìýenvironmental and health consequences. The challenges are expected to grow in the future, as globalÌýprojections show a continued increase in urban populations thus improving water security and protecting waterÌýresources on which cities rely must be an urgent priority.Ìý

The Action Agenda for Basins-Connected Cities outlines theÌýrationale for urban stakeholders to lead the way in realisingÌýtheir role as water stewards and the different pathways andÌýactivities towards achieving integrated water resourcesÌýmanagement. The structure of the Agenda reflects the currentÌýand potential issues between cities and their basins and howÌýto deal with them by identifying the drivers for action (e.g. whatÌýare the risks?), and the possible solution pathways. It builds aÌýframework of best practice to ensure that the foundations toÌýimplement those solutions are in place.

The Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities builds onÌýIWA’s Principles for Water-Wise Cities, which aim toÌýintegrate water in planning across scales. The Principles
support city leaders planning a future-proof access to safeÌýwater and sanitation for everyone in their cities, while deliveringÌýenhanced liveability for people and nature. The PrinciplesÌýinclude 4 levels of action:

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý1. Regenerative Water Services Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý2. Water Sensitive Urban Design Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý3. Basin Connected Cities Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý4. Water-wise Communities

The Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities acknowledgesÌýthat the city is intrinsicallyÌýconnected to, and dependentÌýon, its surrounding basin(s).ÌýProactive engagement inÌýmanaging water resources inÌýthe basin can help to secure water,Ìýfood and energy resources,Ìýreduce flood and drought risk andÌýenhance activities contributing toÌýthe economic and environmental healthÌýof the basin. Based on a comprehensiveÌýunderstanding of our water resources today,Ìýand the level of uncertainty resulting from climateÌýchange impacting our future resources, we need to:

• Secure the water resource
• Protect water quality
• Prepare for and respond to extreme events

Drivers for Action

The top three risks for cities are extreme events such as flooding, declining water quality, and challenges toÌýwater availability due to increasing water stress and scarcity. Solving the root problems risks can be supported by urban stakeholders. For each of the risks a set of impacts on the urban areas can be identified, which drive a need for action.

Extreme events
Economic activities andÌýsupply chain disruption	ÌýDamage to infrastructure	Public health hazards
Ìý
Declining water quality
High operating costs	Loss of credibility and trust	Environmental, culturalÌýand health impacts
Ìý
Water availability
Water supply disruption	Constraints to growth	Declining quality of life

Pathways to Action

The Agenda is intended as a starting point for urban stakeholders to identifyÌýthe actions that need to be taken to address the risks, how to ensure sustainable management of basins in the future and how toÌý more activelyÌýparticipate in water governance.ÌýThe following pathways for action (assessment, planning andÌýimplementation) respond to the impacts outlined in the drivers for action to connect cities and their basins.

Assessment	Ìý	Planning	Ìý	Implementation
Invest in values that will motivate water decision-making within the basin _ Investment in data, information systems, research andÌýexpertise within and beyond city limits _ Linking traditional water management with science in aÌýway that builds and reflects on local knowledge and needs	Ìý	Risk-based approach to planning linking urban stakeholders with their catchment _ Water allocation mechanisms to share water resourcesÌýbetween different users _ Aligning urban development with basin management _ Stakeholder participation in planning and management	Ìý	Application of economic and financing mechanisms _ Integration of nature-based solutions to improveÌýcatchments _ Building partnerships from catchment to tap to catalyse action in sustainingÌýand improving water quality and flows to and from cities _ Using digital technologies to support availability and accessÌýof information _ Customisation of solutions as there is no one size fits all solution

Foundations for Action

The building blocks of the Principles for Water-Wise Cities are the foundations for the pathways to action toÌýdeliver sustainable urban water management – including vision, governance, knowledge and capacity, planningÌýtools, and implementation tools.ÌýThese have been adjusted to reflect connecting cities with their basins. Not all building blocks are applicable as cities and their stakeholders are at different stages.

	Vision A vision commonly shared with stakeholders provides an overall framework defining long-termÌýambitions, values and aspirations
	Governance Governance and institutions provide the framework for stakeholders to work together from catchmentÌýto tap to achieve a joint vision
	Knowledge and capacities Building process starts with understanding what are the current competencies and capacities for urbanÌýstakeholders to effectively contribute to basin management
	Planning tools Inclusion of planning tools such as decision support systems, integrated water resource managementÌýplans, as well as risk-based and rights-based approaches that can support the alignment of urbanÌýdevelopment with basin management
	Implementation tools Moving from concept to reality to put planning into action, which improves water quantity and quality,Ìýas well as food and energy security. Tools for implementation include: Regulations which create incentives Financial tools and financing mechanisms Use of innovative technologies Approaches for integrated management

Who should take action?

The Action Agenda targets multiple stakeholders with different roles in taking actionÌýin improving their water sources and watersheds including water and wastewater
utilities, city governments, industry, policy makers and regulators. These primaryÌýstakeholders work with basin organisations, water resources agencies, civil society
and environmental groups to ensure equitable and effective water management. TheÌýsecondary audience includes stakeholders that use water in basins which cities rely onÌýfor their water security such as agriculture, energy, natural resource extraction and otherÌýbusiness interests. All parties need to actively work together to ensure water acrossÌýsectors from catchment to consumer.

Basin Stories

We are collecting stories from urban stakeholders that are leading the way in strengthening the connection with their catchments through different actions and pathways to contribute to the development and promotion of the Action Agenda for Basin-Connected Cities. Discover the Basin Stories!

which outlines the successes and challenges that urban stakeholders have experienced in becoming water stewards in the wider catchment.