Water Policy (May 2024)

Investigating the financialization of water infrastructure in China: A public policy perspective

  • Zhen Wang,
  • Rulin Ouyang,
  • Yun Li,
  • Huanming Wang,
  • Zhe Cheng

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2024.256
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 5
pp. 506 – 523

Abstract

Read online

Insufficient funding for water infrastructure has become a notable challenge for China and other developing countries. In light of marketization and globalization, financialization has emerged as a potential avenue to address the financial difficulties. This study employs the PMC index model and cluster analysis method to quantitatively analyze the financialization of water infrastructure in China through a lens of public policy lens. The findings suggest that financialization has become a significant trend in water infrastructure, with public policy playing a critical role in water infrastructure development. This study contributes to the novel possibilities for studying water infrastructure financialization and offers a reference to policymakers and professionals for optimizing water infrastructure development. HIGHLIGHTS Financing is a key challenge facing global water infrastructure development.; This study employs the PMC index model and cluster analysis method to quantitatively analyze the financialization of water infrastructure in China through a lens of public policy lens.; Financialization has become a significant trend in water infrastructure, with public policy playing a critical role in water infrastructure development.;

Keywords