Reconnecting People and Water

Reconnecting People and Water PDF

Author: Liz Sharp

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-05-18

Total Pages: 230

ISBN-13: 1317916395

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Water management in industrialised western countries has long been seen as a technical process associated with pipes, drains and bureaucracies. This technical model of water management is now being questioned. This book examines the nature of contemporary water management and the prospects for and barriers to different forms of engagement with the public. In particular, it shows how historical and social scientific understandings develop and question current water management norms in relation to water in the landscape, water in the home and the hidden management of water beneath our streets and behind our walls. It is shown that the four-fold challenges of climate change, urbanisation, changing environmental standards and fiscal accountability mean that we can no longer rely on unseen technical fixes to erase the threats of pollution, water shortages and floods. Such concerns offer two prompts for public engagement and participation. First, on a purely instrumental level, public engagement can complement, or offer an obvious alternative to, technical fixes. Second, public engagement may provide a route to find new ways of addressing water and related challenges. The author offers a unique social science perspective on many of the socio-technical issues facing the management of water in urban settings in developed countries, where urban is interpreted broadly to include all areas served by piped water. Drawing on historical context and an extensive review of the published literature, as well as the author's own empirical studies, the work prompts broader discussions about how we manage water in contemporary society. It is invaluable for students and professionals in water resource management and planning.

Public Participation in the Governance of International Freshwater Resources

Public Participation in the Governance of International Freshwater Resources PDF

Author: Carl E. Bruch

Publisher: United Nations University Press

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 521

ISBN-13: 9280811061

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Bruch, a senior attorney of the Environmental Law Institute, presents work from an April 2003 symposium co-sponsored by the Environmental Law Institute, the United Nations University, and other institutions. Papers from the symposium identify innovative approaches in watershed management and look at political, linguistic, legal, cultural, and geogr

Public Participation in Environmental Assessment and Decision Making

Public Participation in Environmental Assessment and Decision Making PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2008-12-07

Total Pages: 323

ISBN-13: 0309123984

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Federal agencies have taken steps to include the public in a wide range of environmental decisions. Although some form of public participation is often required by law, agencies usually have broad discretion about the extent of that involvement. Approaches vary widely, from holding public information-gathering meetings to forming advisory groups to actively including citizens in making and implementing decisions. Proponents of public participation argue that those who must live with the outcome of an environmental decision should have some influence on it. Critics maintain that public participation slows decision making and can lower its quality by including people unfamiliar with the science involved. This book concludes that, when done correctly, public participation improves the quality of federal agencies' decisions about the environment. Well-managed public involvement also increases the legitimacy of decisions in the eyes of those affected by them, which makes it more likely that the decisions will be implemented effectively. This book recommends that agencies recognize public participation as valuable to their objectives, not just as a formality required by the law. It details principles and approaches agencies can use to successfully involve the public.

Water Management and Public Participation

Water Management and Public Participation PDF

Author: Alka Upadhyay

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-11-11

Total Pages: 163

ISBN-13: 9400757093

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is an approach that promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. Without public interest and participation, successful implementation of IWRM plans for river basin cannot be possible. Further to this, management at the watershed level to assure water supplies to support livelihood (i.e. domestic water, irrigation, industries, etc.) and sustainable groundwater development requires water augmentation through water conservation structures, and pollution control will also play a vital role. In India, because of limited period of rainfall during Monsoon (i.e. three to four months), water conservation and rainwater harvesting have been practiced since ancient days in order to meet water demands throughout the year. These structures are generally constructed and operated through the public participation. Keeping in view of the importance of public partnership, the role of public partnership in context of water-related awareness and practices has been investigated in different parts of the Yamuna River basin. The investigation evaluates the impact of various water conservation devices on livelihood; compares the performance of recently developed water conservation structures with ancient structures; examines spatial variation of water-related problems in the basin; and proposes an institutional setup for effective governance.

Public Participation - Contributing to Better Water Management

Public Participation - Contributing to Better Water Management PDF

Author: European Union. European Environment Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 58

ISBN-13: 9789292134839

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

In the context of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), public participation (PP) is viewed as a means of improving water management through better planning and more informed decision-making. The active involvement of all interested parties and influencers in the deliberation and decision-making process is generally expected to foster an environment of accessibility, receptiveness and mutual respect that ultimately promotes transparency and trust among participants and can then increase the success rate of policies due to better acceptance by stakeholders. Naturally, this kind of setting is highly desirable, especially when the topic under discussion is a cross-cutting issue involving multiple stakeholders and reflecting numerous interests While the concept of PP is now well established, and commonly plays a part in the environment and sustainability agendas of international organisations and national authorities, its effectiveness in achieving European water-policy goals is still being assessed. This report evaluates whether the provisions for PP included in the WFD actually contribute to achieving the objectives of the directive or at least support the ongoing implementation process by, for example, improving the integration of water management between different actors, incorporating local knowledge and promoting informed decision-making. Common criteria are identified based on key principles of PP, and are tested by analysing eight case studies from across the EU. The report addresses the fundamental question of how PP can improve water-related policies, plans and implementation, especially in the context of river-basin planning and the WFD.