The hydrosocial contracts in access to water in popular neighborhoods: Articulations between neighborhood actors and the local government of the Partido de General Pueyrredón

Abstract

The goal of achieving 100% coverage of safely managed water by the year 2030, established by the Sustainable Development agenda, presents significant challenges for Argentina, where informal settlements represent nearly 65% of unserved urban areas. This leads to the provision of services relying primarily on the efforts and strategies of the population, who build infrastructure outside formal mechanisms. This study analyzes water access strategies in informal settlements, considering them as "hydrosocial contracts", highlighting the role that conflict, tension, and alliances among social groups, local authorities, and civil society actors play. The results aim to characterize "how" these infrastructure networks are built and function, while pointing out some particularities of local government involvement in this articulation.