Socioeconomic characteristics versus density changes: the operational effects of population dynamics on water systems

ABSTRACT

While population density can change the overall water demand of a neighborhood, socioeconomic shifts can change the temporal distribution of daily peak demands.  This study seeks to determine the comparative criticality of the impacts of both types of population dynamics on the operations of a water system—as measured by pressure. This study specifically assesses scenarios of gentrification, associated with increases in higher-income populations and density changes. Researchers carried out hydraulic simulations of gentrification scenarios using an existing water system in a gentrifying U.S. city. The results indicate that in gentrifying cities such as Portland and Minneapolis, the impact of the socioeconomic shifts may be negligible when compared that of density changes. In gentrifying cities such as Washington D.C. and Atlanta, however, socioeconomic shifts cannot be overlooked. Given the complexity of population dynamics such as gentrification, we recommend decision-makers to carefully assess these dynamics to enhance urban resilience.

KEYWORDS:

• Gentrification
• water system
• water network
• population
• socioeconomic status

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplementary material for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Julie C. Faure

Dr. Julie C. Faure is a recent PhD graduate from the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include learning about environmental problems in conjunction with their scientific and social impacts.

Kasey M. Faust

Dr. Kasey M. Faust is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Faust’s work focuses on human-infrastructure interactions, infrastructure interdependencies, and water sector infrastructure. Her research on sociotechnical systems aims to improve service to communities.