Why do some water systems work—and others fail?
Successful water infrastructure isn’t just about engineering. There’s a hidden social side — shaped by governance, culture, and power — that often determines whether systems actually work, or get built at all.
In this second episode, beyond the technical side of infrastructure to explore the social, ethical, and ecological dimensions of water access. Dr. Verma introduces her Four Pillars of Water Sustainability — science, governance, economics, and cultural connection — and we explore how these ideas can reshape how cities, towns, and regions manage water today. From sponge cities to sacred rivers, we discuss why collaboration and care are at the heart of any truly sustainable water system.
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About the Series: How the Trans Africa Pipeline (TAP) Can Solve the Sahel Region’s Water Crisis
What if water infrastructure could do more than deliver clean drinking water — what if it could transform economies, support food security, reduce climate migration, and unite communities across borders?In this 3-part series, Urban Limitrophe explores the story of the TransAfrica Pipeline (TAP) — a visionary project to bring clean, desalinated water across the Sahel through a 7,000-kilometre pipeline powered by renewable energy. Through conversations with co-founders Dr. Romila Verma and Dr. Rod Tennyson, we unpack how water connects to everything: agriculture, innovation, migration, environmental justice, and community resilience.
TAP is more than a pipeline — it’s a call to imagine water systems built with care, creativity, and the future in mind.
Enjoying the series? Continue Listening
Guests
Dr. Rod Tennyson
Co-founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of TAP, Dr. Tennyson received his Ph.D in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Toronto. He was Professor and Director of the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, with research experience in advanced materials and aerospace structures, fiber optic sensor systems and pipeline integrity. He has published 215 papers in these fields, holds six patents on sensing systems and has received many awards for his pioneering work. Dr. Tennyson directs all research and engineering aspects of the TAP project and leads negotiations with funding resources, governments and NGOs.
Learn more: Trans Africa Pipeline
Dr. Romila Verma
A founding Director of TAP, Dr. Verma is an Instructor at the School of the Environment and Department of Geography at the University of Toronto. Her teaching and research interests are in the field of global water management, environmental science and climate change impacts. She is also the founder of Water Speaks, an organization committed to advancing and translating the voice of water through research, education and action.
Learn more: Trans Africa Pipeline and Water Speaks
Shownotes
- Trans Africa Pipeline
- Water Speaks
- Water Be Dammed
- Story to Tell: Ground Zero For Anthropocene
- University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies
- The Green Revolution
- Sponge Cities
Acknowledgements
Sponsorships
This episode is supported by the Nurubian, the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.
Support
- Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
- Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos
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