Work

Socioeconomic Dimensions of Water Scarcity in Amman

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The scarcity of resources is a major challenge for the livability of cities and sustainable urbanization. This study explores the socioeconomic dimensions of water scarcity in four low-income neighborhoods of Amman, the capital of Jordan, using a mixed-method approach. The study investigates how water scarcity intersects with socioeconomic vulnerability, spatial injustice, and behavioral adaptation. The main research findings are that income, the quality of the neighborhood, and infrastructure access commonly shape residents’ coping strategies and perceptions of fairness. While households adopt a range of adaptive behaviors, limited affordability and institutional neglect intensify existing inequalities. Temporal shifts in service provision, spatial disparities within and between neighborhoods, and gaps in awareness and governance deepen the sense of water insecurity. The study concludes that water scarcity in Amman is not only a technical or economic challenge but a socially embedded problem that requires equity-oriented policies, participatory planning, and spatially targeted investments.

Source: Water

DOI: 10.3390/w18141771

Authors: Lara M. Ismail, Zoltán Kovács

Institutions: University of Szeged, Geographical Institute, HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Water Governance and Infrastructure

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Sustainable cities and communities, Clean water and sanitation, No poverty

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137