3. Peri-urbanization, Land Use Change and Water security: A New Trigger for Water Conflicts?

Abstract

Urbanization processes involve the appropriation of land and water resources from the peripheral regions. Thus some individuals and groups lose access to these resources to support urban expansion. Since water access is often tied to land ownership, the acquisition of land for urban expansion compromises periurban water security. This process creates a potential for water conflicts; these conflicts may take place between urban and periurban water users, between periurban water users and the state or among periurban water users. Understanding potential causes of conflict and devising institutions to reconcile divergent interests could be instrumental in promoting periurban water security.