Towards the formulation of a new strategy of water resource management for urban areas achieved through participatory processes

Abstract

Stakeholder involvement is recognised as an important factor in the successful implementation of water management plans, particularly when efforts are made to resolve competing and conflicting demands in areas facing water scarcity. Involving stakeholders enables, first, a better understanding of different parties that have an interest in water management problems; second, the process can articulate more clearly the context of agreements and disagreements; and finally it can also significantly contribute to conflict management or conflict resolution. This paper deals with the development of urban water management plans through stakeholder participation in the decision-making process in the Cycladic island of Paros, Greece. In almost all Aegean islands, water scarcity is a critical factor in the management of water resources, resulting in problems related to allocating water and meeting increasing urban water demands. The present approach places a major emphasis on the identification and selection of primary and secondary key stakeholders. Problem analysis was undertaken through the development of a problem tree on the basis of the DPSIR framework. This approach was followed by the formulation of a commonly accepted and agreed upon objective tree, culminating in the definition of alternative water management plans. The adopted public participation process was successful in promoting a common understanding of the water management issues and in forming suggestions on long-range planning and management together with a series of key recommendations in order to meet the increasing urban water demands.

Keywords:

• soft-path solutions
• stakeholder involvement
• conflict resolution
• water resource management
• reaching consensus

Notes

1. The term ‘civil society’ refers to society at large outside government; it is often used as synonymous with the NGO community, while in practice it also includes the academic and research community, religious hierarchy, trade unions and people's organisations.