Abstract:
In the city of Semarang, Indonesia, there are many areas in which it is difficult to obtain drinking water. Due to outdated infrastructure, excessive pumping of groundwater and a society with a general lower standard of living, residents have to be inventive or look for other sources to gain drinking water. This study looks at how other options regarding access to water are created, specifically through the framework of the asset social capital. Social capital essentially is the networks between individuals which can both be close friends and family, but also colleges or an acquaintance who possesses has a high degree of influence. The relation between social capital and improved aspects of life (e.g. happiness) has already been determined, this study wants to investigate whether something similar is going for access to water and whether access to water can be influenced by the asset social capital. The data that is used in this research was obtained in the urban area of Purwoyoso, a suburb of Semarang trough in-depth interviews with local people, and several experts on the subject. The empirical material has been analyzed in using a coding-program best suited for qualitative research.
