Statistical analysis of public perceptions of water infrastructure sustainability in shrinking cities

Abstract

Population contraction has afflicted a number of U.S. cities, presenting problems as the infrastructure becomes overbuilt for shrinking populations. Civic authorities have options to make infrastructure sustainable in light of urban decline including decommissioning or raising service costs to sustain existing infrastructure. This paper conducts a survey and statistical analysis of public opinions towards water infrastructure decommissioning and raising costs in U.S. shrinking cities, to identify groups likely to oppose these alternatives and hamper sustainability efforts. The analysis found a range of socio-economic factors affecting residents' likelihood of opposition and that their impacts vary considerably across the population. One critical finding is that only approximately 50% of respondents are aware their city is shrinking and that these residents have significantly different views on sustainability options. The statistical findings provide important initial information on how residents are likely to respond to policies seeking to right-size infrastructure with regard to population.

Keywords:

• decision making
• decision support
• infrastructure
• sustainability
• sustainable urban water management
• urban water management

Acknowledgements

The contents of this paper reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not reflect the official views or policies of the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. DGE-1333468.