Exploring water security perspectives and priorities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia : a systems approach for understanding diverse problem perceptions of water security across governance levels

Abstract

Analysis of water security in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia demonstrates it to be a complex, dynamic, interconnected water management paradigm defined by: physical water insecurity; social and political practices, processes, and values; and connections to human security and justice. To address this complexity, a systems approach has been developed that draws upon three system concepts: open systems, boundary judgements, and methodological pluralism. In adopting these, the systems approach triangulates a variety of qualitative data to understand water security in Addis Ababa, critically examining and comparing the various water securities among actors as products of interconnected elements between water governance, use, and value. The research demonstrates water security to be a heterogeneous environmental and social product across stakeholders in the city, with multiple perceived drivers and impacts. Furthermore, it shows how a systems approach can benefit exploring complex socioenvironmental issues, demonstrating this in both practice and analysis. Additionally, the work highlights how varied social and geographical management scales and unclear responsibilities are systemic barriers to the adoption of water security as a water resources management paradigm. Importantly, a systems approach has demonstrated how water security requires several interconnected human-water relationships to be fulfilled beyond consideration of water supply alone. Conservation of environmental water security, protection and safety from water-related risks, and preservation of water-dependent livelihoods, for example, were found to be key determinants of the degree of water (in)security. A siloed, linear, approach would not identify these or provide the critical consideration for improving the understanding of water security more broadly. Addis Ababa is a rapidly urbanising city with various unique issues; however, many other cities around the world are experiencing similar socioenvironmental pressures for water resources management. The systems approach can therefore be applied, accounting for local specificities, to other cities that face similar interconnecting challenges.