Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE)
The Pitch
The Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) reduced water scarcity and inequality in Agra by implementing a participatory program that built on traditional water wisdom and practices to build public interest.
The Problem
Agra was projected to run out of groundwater by 2020, and its water scarcity, inequitable distribution and poor water quality disproportionately impacted low-income communities— driving health problems and exacerbating poverty.
The Process
- Partnered with Agra Municipal Corporation to create the Agra Water Resilience Strategy
- Collaborated with community members to institute a rainwater harvesting program, recharge groundwater stores, and treat and reuse wastewater
- Made all upgrading plans in consultation with local communities and incorporated local culture and traditions
- Tested an ecological method of improving informal settlements that also revitalizes natural water cycles by adding vegetation
- Organized technology and financing systems to enable women to install home toilets in 40 communities
- Built a decentralized wastewater treatment system to treat black water and use it for irrigation
- Mapped informal settlements and developed participatory ward development plans that fed into a city plan
The Impact
- Recharged groundwater stores by adding green spaces, partially restoring the local hydrological cycle and improving the environmental quality in informal communities
- Alleviated the impacts of water scarcity and poor water quality on families by providing them with fresh, safe water to drink and use
- Revitalized public interest in managing the water crisis by incorporating traditional water wisdom and historical infrastructure (like old water wells)
- Strengthened the social fabric and sense of local identity by using traditional ecological techniques, causing locals to feel a sense of ownership over improving the system
- Reduced the inequalities associated with access to clean water
- Improved water quality, security and reliability
- Reduced water scarcity in a sustainable way
