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Water for All: How To Combine Public Management with Commercial Practice for the Benefit of the Poor?

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  • Alan Gilbert

    (Department of Geography, Pearson Building, University College London, Gower Street, London, WCIE 6BT, UK, ucfaagg@ucl.ac.uk)

Abstract

Water is critical to improving the health and welfare of the expanding urban populations of the South. Unfortunately, few cities in poor countries have managed to develop institutions able to supply the poor with water, let alone take away the waste. One city that has managed to do so is Bogota, Colombia. The results of this public company are impressive and have been achieved by adopting some elements of neo-liberal economic thought and by maintaining independence from political pressure. Recently, however, the water company's operations, and particularly its efficiency and pricing policy, have come under attack from a new left-of-centre mayor. The paper explores the legitimacy of some of the attacks and examines whether they constitute fair political debate or a means of undermining what, by the standards of the South, is an effective company.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Gilbert, 2007. "Water for All: How To Combine Public Management with Commercial Practice for the Benefit of the Poor?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 44(8), pages 1559-1579, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:44:y:2007:i:8:p:1559-1579
    DOI: 10.1080/00420980701373461
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Schwartz, Klaas & Tutusaus, Mireia & Savelli, Elisa, 2017. "Water for the urban poor: Balancing financial and social objectives through service differentiation in the Kenyan water sector," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 22-31.

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