A7: Economics of Urban Water Systems: Costs, benefits and economic instruments

Contact: Bo Jellesmark Thorsen, KU-life

There are two aims. The first is to further the development of case-targeted evaluation tools with an emphasis on cost-benefit, in such a way that it allows integration in the sector with e.g. Multi-Criterion-Analysis tools. Specific attention will be given to possible externalities – as exemplified in the project-wide cases. The second aim is to analyse existing and develop new regulation mechanisms for enhancing a sustainable urban water system, e.g. incentives for developers to take water issues into consideration. The field of environmental valuation (Freeman 2003, Greene 2003) offers a number of possible valuation techniques, which form the methodological fundament. The potential is illustrated somewhat by Anderson (2005). In addition, the options for environmental regulation through various often market-based instruments, which are widely used in agricultural and forest policies but less so in urban design and planning settings, will be evaluated (Parikh et al 2005, Pujol et al., 2006).

(Foto "Bred wadi mellem boliger, Leidsche Rijn" venligst udlånt af Marina B. Jensen)