From the Concept to the Tap—Integrated Water Resources Management in Northern Namibia

Liehr, Stefan; Brenda, Marian; Cornel, Peter; Deffner, Jutta; Felmeden, Jörg; Jokisch, Alexander; Kluge, T.; Müller, Klaus; Röhrig, Julia; Stibitz, Vanessa; Urban, Wilhelm

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-25071-7_26

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A transdisciplinary research approach was applied based on the integration of science, technology and society [31]. This approach is reflected in the project design and structure: its empirical and technical components are closely linked to integrative societal elements, providing the basis for adaptive problem-solving since interlinkage promotes social embedding of the technologies along with the active involvement of the institutional players and local population.…”

Section: The Cuvewaters Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The common goal was to establish a multi-resource mix for water use that was designed "to improve the living conditions of people in the project region" [31] (p. 689). The underlying methodological approach and implementation process are described in more detail in [9].…”

Section: The Cuvewaters Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After the exploratory project phase, its implementation began in 2006 in three main phases-the initial, pilot and diffusion phases-and was completed by the end of 2015 [31]. The first and second main project phases were an interdisciplinary endeavour involving stakeholders such as communities and administrations.…”

Section: The Cuvewaters Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

How the Social-Ecological Systems Concept Can Guide Transdisciplinary Research and Implementation: Addressing Water Challenges in Central Northern Namibia

et al. 2017

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:Research aimed at contributing to the further development of integrated water resources management needs to tackle complex challenges at the interface of nature and society. A case study in the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin in Namibia has shown how semi-arid conditions coinciding with high population density and urbanisation present a risk to people's livelihoods and ecosystem health. In order to increase water security and promote sustainable water management, there is a requirement for problem-oriented research approaches combined with a new way of thinking about water in order to generate evidence-based, adapted solutions. Transdisciplinary research in particular addresses this issue by focusing on the problems that arise when society interacts with nature. This article presents the implementation of a transdisciplinary research approach in the above-mentioned case study. The concept of social-ecological systems (SES) plays a key role in operationalising the transdisciplinary research process. Application of the SES concept helps to outline the problem by defining the epistemic object, as well as structure the research process itself in terms of formulating research questions and developing the research design. It is argued here that the SES concept is not merely useful, but also necessary for guiding transdisciplinary sustainability research and implementation. The study from Namibia clearly demonstrates that the introduction of technological innovations such as rainwater and floodwater harvesting plants requires a social-ecological perspective. In particular this means considering questions around knowledge, practices and institutions related to water resources management and includes various societal innovations alongside technologies on the agenda.

show abstract

Section: The Cuvewaters Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Cuvewaters Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%