Urban Water Ecosystems in Africa and Asia

This book examines urban water ecosystem management and restoration through selected case studies in Asia and Africa. Employing a socioecological approach, this volume presents insights on the inter-linkages between water, humans and environmental conservation in an urban context. Topics include human health risks, population displacement and migration, water pollution, water scarcity, flood management, water infrastructure, afforestation and the effects of climate change. Case studies are drawn from a variety of countries in Africa and Asia, including China, Japan, India, Kenya and Tunisia, which demonstrate a wide range of different challenges, and opportunities. Overall, this book argues that to better manage urban water resources there needs to be a shift from urban water management to urban water ecosystem management. This shift needs to acknowledge the complex bio-physical and socio-political dimensions of water ecosystems. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of water resource management, ecosystem services, urban studies, environmental conservation and sustainable development.