Transnational Corporations in Urban Water Governance: Public-Private Partnerships in Mexico and the US

This book explores the role of business in urban water governance by analyzing the evolution of the global private water sector and four public-private partnerships in Mexico and the U.S. It focuses on the French groups Veolia and Suez and their development and adaptation strategies in Aguascalientes, Mexico City, Atlanta, and Milwaukee over the past 30 years. It develops a theoretical framework that analyzes the economic and political power wielded by transnational business actors in global water governance and provides a nuanced picture of how state regulation remains of central importance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate relationship between business and urban water governance, shedding light on the evolving landscape of the global private water sector. By examining the trajectory of these corporations and four public-private partnerships in Mexico and the United States, it uncovers the hidden global developments that have propelled transnational water corporations from local operators to influential actors within an interconnected transnational space for water.

The local nature of water services often obscures the profound shifts occurring in the global water industry. Transnational water corporations, once confined to local operations, have emerged as dynamic and powerful entities, reshaping the landscape of global water governance. This book specifically focuses on two prominent French groups, Veolia and Suez, as case studies. Over the past three decades, these companies have implemented development and adaptation strategies in cities such as Aguascalientes, Mexico City, Atlanta, and Milwaukee.

Through extensive interviews with corporate executives, public authorities, and local water users, this book goes beyond the simplistic binary of the public-private debate. It develops a theoretical framework that critically analyzes the economic and political power wielded by transnational business actors in global water governance. The book not only elucidates how Veolia and Suez strategically mobilize resources across different scales to expand their global operations but also provides a nuanced understanding of how state regulation continues to play a central role in shaping the dynamics and evolution of the global water sector.

This book is of immense interest to students and scholars engaged in the fields of business and the environment, including public-private partnerships, business management, transnational corporations, and water governance. It offers valuable insights and perspectives to professionals and policymakers working in these domains, helping them navigate the complex challenges and opportunities of the global water industry.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032052472