Spatial fit and water politics: managing asymmetries in the Dongjiang River basin

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to explore how classic upstream–downstream conflicts of water resources management can be interpreted more broadly in terms of spatial misfits and disparities between the river basin, territorial jurisdictions, degrees of political influence and socio-economic conditions. It applies the analytical concept of spatial fit in order to explore issues of governance in managing water in the Dongjiang River basin, selected by virtue of the huge political and economic asymmetries existing between the upstream Jiangxi Province and the downstream Pearl River delta region. Using the concept of spatial fit, the paper explores the complex environmental, socio-economic and political geographies which frame the interdependencies of water use and management within the river basin. It analyses attempts by stakeholders at different levels and locations in the basin to advance their own water-related interests and the initiatives that some are developing to share benefits and costs more equitably across the basin.

Keywords:

• River basin management
• spatial fit
• Dongjiang River

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank members of the Co-Reach project ‘River Basin Governance in the EU and China (RiBaGo)’ who commented on an earlier presentation of this paper in September 2011, in particular Keith Richards, who also provided the two figures. Able research assistance has been provided by Tang Ho-ming. The authors would also like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their helpful and perceptive comments.

Funding

This work was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) [grant number MO 1057/4-1] and a Small Project Grant of the University of Hong Kong.