Rethinking water security in periurban areas in Brazil: reflections from the cases of Paraíba and São Paulo

Abstract

Water security remains a significant challenge in Latin America, especially in rapidly growing urban, rural, and periurban regions. In Brazil, as in other countries in the region, intense urbanization in recent decades has led to a focus on large-scale infrastructure projects to meet the increasing demand for water. However, despite these efforts, many communities still face water access problems, especially those in peripheral and periurban areas. This article examines two case studies in Brazil —the macrometropolis of São Paulo and the semiarid region of Paraíba— to explore the challenges of building water security at the household level, moving away from the paradigm of macrostructures. The study reveals shared challenges, such as dependence on large infrastructure projects, as well as distinct approaches to ensuring water access, including civil society initiatives. The conclusions emphasize the importance of a more relational approach to understanding and addressing water access problems, especially in an uncertain......