A call for further integration is justified but not unproblematic. The challenges
put forward to the governance of water systems are manifold and dynamic.
Consequently expert knowledge on, for instance, hydrology or engineering, while
still essential, is not enough. The need for a sufficient support basis by both the
people involved and the financial resources needed adds to the complexity. In 1997
John Dryzek discerned in his book “The Politics of the Earth” three what he called
‘discourses’: leave it to the experts: administrative rationalism, leave it to the
people: democratic pragmatism, and leave it to the market: economic rationalism.
While a discourse is a way of framing a subject, including some and excluding other
issues, using key words and stories to reinforce that way of thinking and shield it
from other ways, the challenge for water governance nowadays is precisely to
overcome such boundaries. Thereby the expert side is becoming broader, with also
multi-actor project management skills and governance expertise. For the people’s
side their appreciation of the waterways in their surroundings is important, but also
their sense of responsibility to guard this heritage. Water management is not only
about applying knowledge in the right technocratic way, it is also about the equal
consideration of interests. And for the market side water pricing for economic
activities’ water use, and innovative water treatment that produces energy and other
resources, like nitrates, phosphates and even clean service water, contribute to the
development of a blue-based economy.
Like the three ‘discourses’ which should be coupled rather than separated,
various forms of knowledge also should be coupled. Local knowledge and practitioners knowledge is sometimes as valuable as scientific knowledge, especially
when these sources are brought together. Complex and dynamic processes like
water management need a continuous flow of insights into possible scenarios and
into the dilemmas that need to be overcome. Many can contribute to such insights.
This makes useable knowledge often ‘negotiated knowledge’, no ultimate or final
truth, but a provisional common ground to proceed upon.
Drought resilience management requires not only such common ground, but also
collaboration between several stakeholders to walk on that common ground together. This book concentrates on governance conditions as a supportive or restrictive
context for drought resilience management. To a large extent it concentrates on the
old but vital question: what enables productive cooperation? Its cases and comparisons provide a wealth of answers. There is not one single answer that fits every
situation, and although that certainly makes matters complex, it is a complexity we
should not only accept but also embrace. It is through regional tailoring, combined
with learning-oriented exchange that the most optimal solutions for tackling
drought can be created.
I would like to compliment the editors of this book for the insights they provide
in the essence of good governance when it comes to water shortage and drought. It
is of great value for water practitioners who can learn from this book how to make
water management more adaptive to changing climate conditions.
Stefan Kuks
President of Vechtstromen Water Authority
Foreword
vii
put forward to the governance of water systems are manifold and dynamic.
Consequently expert knowledge on, for instance, hydrology or engineering, while
still essential, is not enough. The need for a sufficient support basis by both the
people involved and the financial resources needed adds to the complexity. In 1997
John Dryzek discerned in his book “The Politics of the Earth” three what he called
‘discourses’: leave it to the experts: administrative rationalism, leave it to the
people: democratic pragmatism, and leave it to the market: economic rationalism.
While a discourse is a way of framing a subject, including some and excluding other
issues, using key words and stories to reinforce that way of thinking and shield it
from other ways, the challenge for water governance nowadays is precisely to
overcome such boundaries. Thereby the expert side is becoming broader, with also
multi-actor project management skills and governance expertise. For the people’s
side their appreciation of the waterways in their surroundings is important, but also
their sense of responsibility to guard this heritage. Water management is not only
about applying knowledge in the right technocratic way, it is also about the equal
consideration of interests. And for the market side water pricing for economic
activities’ water use, and innovative water treatment that produces energy and other
resources, like nitrates, phosphates and even clean service water, contribute to the
development of a blue-based economy.
Like the three ‘discourses’ which should be coupled rather than separated,
various forms of knowledge also should be coupled. Local knowledge and practitioners knowledge is sometimes as valuable as scientific knowledge, especially
when these sources are brought together. Complex and dynamic processes like
water management need a continuous flow of insights into possible scenarios and
into the dilemmas that need to be overcome. Many can contribute to such insights.
This makes useable knowledge often ‘negotiated knowledge’, no ultimate or final
truth, but a provisional common ground to proceed upon.
Drought resilience management requires not only such common ground, but also
collaboration between several stakeholders to walk on that common ground together. This book concentrates on governance conditions as a supportive or restrictive
context for drought resilience management. To a large extent it concentrates on the
old but vital question: what enables productive cooperation? Its cases and comparisons provide a wealth of answers. There is not one single answer that fits every
situation, and although that certainly makes matters complex, it is a complexity we
should not only accept but also embrace. It is through regional tailoring, combined
with learning-oriented exchange that the most optimal solutions for tackling
drought can be created.
I would like to compliment the editors of this book for the insights they provide
in the essence of good governance when it comes to water shortage and drought. It
is of great value for water practitioners who can learn from this book how to make
water management more adaptive to changing climate conditions.
Stefan Kuks
President of Vechtstromen Water Authority
Foreword
vii