Water security challenges of Ankara City in Turkey: Lessons from climate change impact and the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

AbstractClimate change and the COVID‐19 pandemic posed significant challenges for Ankara city in Turkey. The city authorities have taken a number of strategic and operational measures to improve water security. This paper explores the linkages of regular forces such as climate change and disasters, as well as disruptive forces like pandemics, sudden shocks, and actions needed to overcome the resulting challenges. Based on 13 key informant interviews with a semi‐structured questionnaire and literature review, the existing water security situation is explored in relation to climate change and the impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Ankara is still behind in terms of climate‐related adaptation practices and management. Financial resources are inadequate, so policy measures like neighborhood‐level responsibility‐sharing frameworks, resilience integration into existing policies and involving local people in policymaking, and developing capacity building for local government can help to ensure Ankara's water security.