Fountains for Environmental Justice: Public Water, Homelessness, and Migration in the Face of Global Environmental Change

Abstract

Environmental justice has been defined as equitable distribution of environmental burdens and benefits, including access to sufficient and clean water. While many major cities are represented as providing 100% access to improved water sources, these statistics better reflect access for buildings rather than for people. The ramifications of our urban water infrastructure are grave for inhabitants who experience homelessness, especially given the complex ways that water access is privatized, including restrooms for customers only and public restrooms that require a fee. The situation grows more dire in the face of global environmental change, which has implications for domestic homelessness, migration, and health vulnerabilities. This research reflects empirical investigation of changes in the urban water systems of Athens, Greece; Istanbul, Turkey; and Los Angeles, United States; between 2014 and 2017. Findings conclude that as a basic needs approach to urban environmental justice, public water fountains should be reintroduced to urban spaces and sited to ensure access to populations experiencing homelessness.