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Towards Water Sensitive Cities in the Colorado River Basin: A Comparative Historical Analysis to Inform Future Urban Water Sustainability Transitions

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  • Abigail Sullivan

    (Decision Center for a Desert City, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; dave.white@asu.edu (D.D.W.); Kelli.Larson@asu.edu (K.L.L.); Amber.Wutich@asu.edu (A.W.))

  • Dave D. White

    (Decision Center for a Desert City, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; dave.white@asu.edu (D.D.W.); Kelli.Larson@asu.edu (K.L.L.); Amber.Wutich@asu.edu (A.W.)
    School of Community Resources and Development, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85287, USA)

  • Kelli L. Larson

    (Decision Center for a Desert City, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; dave.white@asu.edu (D.D.W.); Kelli.Larson@asu.edu (K.L.L.); Amber.Wutich@asu.edu (A.W.)
    School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
    School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA)

  • Amber Wutich

    (Decision Center for a Desert City, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; dave.white@asu.edu (D.D.W.); Kelli.Larson@asu.edu (K.L.L.); Amber.Wutich@asu.edu (A.W.)
    School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA)

Abstract

Many population centers in the American West rely on water from the Colorado River Basin, which has faced shortages in recent years that are anticipated to be exacerbated by climate change. Shortages to urban water supplies related to climate change will not be limited to cities dependent on the Colorado River. Considering this, addressing sustainable water governance is timely and critical for cities, states, and regions facing supply shortages and pollution problems. Engaging in sustainability transitions of these hydro-social systems will increase the ability of such systems to meet the water needs of urban communities. In this paper, we identify historical transitions in water governance and examine their context for three sites in the Colorado River Basin (Denver, Colorado, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona) to provide insight for intentional transitions towards sustainable, or “water sensitive” cities. The comparative historical approach employed allows us to more fully understand differences in present-day water governance decisions between the sites, identify past catalysts for transitions, and recognize emerging patterns and opportunities that may impact current and future water governance in the Colorado River Basin and beyond.

Suggested Citation

  • Abigail Sullivan & Dave D. White & Kelli L. Larson & Amber Wutich, 2017. "Towards Water Sensitive Cities in the Colorado River Basin: A Comparative Historical Analysis to Inform Future Urban Water Sustainability Transitions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-27, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:5:p:761-:d:97819
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ajit Pratap Singh & Prashant Bhakar, 2021. "Development of groundwater sustainability index: a case study of western arid region of Rajasthan, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 1844-1868, February.
    2. Abigail Sullivan & Dave D. White, 2020. "Climate change as catastrophe or opportunity? Climate change framing and implications for water and climate governance in a drought-prone region," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Peter W. de Langen & Henrik Sornn-Friese & James Hallworth, 2020. "The Role of Port Development Companies in Transitioning the Port Business Ecosystem; The Case of Port of Amsterdam’s Circular Activities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-16, May.
    4. Yu-Ling Sun & Chun-Hua Zhang & Ying-Jie Lian & Jia-Min Zhao, 2022. "Exploring the Global Research Trends of Cities and Climate Change Based on a Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-19, September.

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