Polycentric Approaches to Managing Urban Water Resources in Southeast Asia - Localizing the Sustainable Goals of the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda at the Local Level

The event will present first results of a practice orientated research project, jointly undertaken by cities and government agencies in Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam, academic institutions and civil society organizations. The project is funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

The specification of the polycentric and decentralized approaches proposed in the New Urban Agenda (NUA) in their cross-sectoral urban planning, water management, technological and socio-political dimensions is in the foreground of interest. The event will demonstrate the scope of practice relevant tools that allow fast-growing cities in Southeast Asia to implement polycentric approaches to urban development and integrated, cross-sector water management:

• Planning approaches for the design of livable neighborhoods and public spaces, a locally adapted water- and sanitation management, a communal/local circular economy and a water-sensitive infrastructure development

• Translation of innovative concepts of integrated water management, circular economy and public services in organizational structures and procedures of municipal entitities

• Design and implementation of multi-actor processes (inter alia with special participation of communities and women)at local level

• Design of cooperation relations at national and international level.

The overall aim of such system approaches is to strengthen the resilience of urban areas and make comprehensive water resource management possible. This will contribute to the local implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030 in a strategic field of urban development. All in all, the question is addressed to what extent polycentric urban infrastructure measures can act as a lever for a comprehensive transformation to sustainability at the local level.