sustainability Article Strategy of Water Distribution for Sustainable Community: Who Owns Water in Divided Cyprus? Eun Joo Park Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; [email protected]; Tel.: +82-(0)10-9863-0528 Received: 6 September 2020; Accepted: 27 October 2020; Published: 29 October 2020 Abstract: Although it is completely surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the island of Cyprus has long suffered from water problems arising from irregular rainfall, leading to sustained political conflict conditions for a long period. Water scarcity is likely to become a major issue, thus a range of options for water catchments should be examined and trialed. This article explores the connection between ownership of water and water management in a divided territory to gain an understanding of how politics are involved in water conflict. By investigating the water situation in Cyprus, this study aims to evaluate the strategies that can ensure the sustainability of new water networks for domestic and irrigation needs. This understanding can be used to minimize the gap between water supply and demand to provide water stressed countries with sufficient, safe, and reliable water for their domestic and irrigation needs. The research proposes a reinterpretation of the extraterritorial conditions of contemporary Cyprus and a plan to realign the island’s water system through the creation of a new post-national territory. Thus, the study presents a vision for a sustainable water supply. In addition, the study discusses strategies and actions for water distribution networks with consideration of political and social issues to provide a potential new vision for future urbanization. Keywords: water distribution; water war; conflict; ownership; divided Cyprus 1. Introduction 1.1. Background and Purpose Water is a precious resource. The growing global population coupled with climate change means that water supply is one of the most significant challenges facing the world today. It is expected that by 2080, half of the world’s population will experience water shortages [1]. Access to and exploitation of water resources has always been a challenging issue, causing conflicts, struggles, and even war within and between societies and countries. In the 1980s, intelligence of the United States Government identified 10 countries where water wars could break out, with Cyprus listed among those countries [2]. Cyprus suffers from the highest level of water stress in Europe, particularly during years of excessive drought [3] (see Figure1), and by 2025 will experience ongoing water shortages. Water shortages are crucially linked to Cyprus’s economic activities and are exacerbated by population growth, tourism, and the activities of other industries. Another contributing factor to Cyprus’s limited water supply is the island’s over-reliance on precipitation; thus, its water resources are particularly vulnerable to future changes in the volume and distribution of rainfall. Sustainability 2020, 12, 8978; doi:10.3390/su12218978 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Sustainability 2020, 12, 8978 2 of 21 Sustainability 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 21 FigureFigure 1. 1. WaterWater stress stress levels levels in in Europe, Europe, showing showing Cyprus Cyprus as as the the most most water water stressed stressed country country [4]. [4]. HavingHaving insufficient insufficient water water resources resources can can increase increase political political tensions tensions within within and and across across countries, countries, andand water water becomes becomes a a political political tool tool for for negotiation between between countries. countries. 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In2008, addition, and 2018 there [5]. have In addition, been no there studies have in been the context no studies of Cyprus in the contexton spatial of Cyprus and temporal on spatial changes and temporal in water changes resources inand water sustainability. resources and Thus, sustainability. this research Thus, aims this to researchsuggest newaims strategic to suggest actions new that strategic can be takenactions by that Cyprus can to be increase taken theby sustainabilityCyprus to increase of its water the sustainabilitymanagement andof its to water investigate management the effect and on to water investigate demand the and effect supply on thatwater arises demand from and the politicalsupply thatstatus arises of disputed from the territories. political status In addition, of disputed the study territories. suggests In future addition, directions the study for water suggests distribution future directionsthat will allow for water sustainable distribution water supplythat will in allo otherw watersustainable stressed water countries. supply in other water stressed countries. 1.2. Research Methods and Procedures 1.2. ResearchThe term Methods “water and wars” Procedures refers to conflicts in different regions arising from disputes over the use of fresh water, and describes the struggles to supply water for domestic and irrigation needs. This research The term “water wars” refers to conflicts in different regions arising from disputes over the use analyses the causes and consequences of water conflicts, identifies the problems associated with existing of fresh water, and describes the struggles to supply water for domestic and irrigation needs. This water management practices, and proposes alternative strategies for water catchment and distribution research analyses the causes and consequences of water conflicts, identifies the problems associated within divided existing Cyprus. water management The research practices, uses Cyprus and as pr theoposes study alternative context, becausestrategies it providesfor water ancatchment example andof a statedistribution that operates in divided in a climate Cyprus. of politicalThe research dispute. uses The Cyprus principal as the goal study of this context, study is because to identify it providesthe causes an and example consequences of a state of that the operates water conflict in a climate in Cyprus, of political and present dispute. a strategy The principal for improving goal of thisthe waterstudy distributionis to identify networks the causes of and the islandconsequenc with thees of final the aim water of presentingconflict in importantCyprus, and strategies present for a strategyimproving for waterimproving management the water and distribution sustainable networks new water of networksthe island forwith domestic the final and aim irrigation of presenting water importantneeds in other strategies water for stressed improving countries water like manage Cyprus.ment and sustainable new water networks for domestic and irrigation water needs in other water stressed countries like Cyprus. To achieve the objectives of this research, the study seeks to answer the following questions: • What are the main causes of water scarcity? • What are the priorities, delays, and causes related to water demand?