Author(s)

W. Ravesteijn, O. Kroesen, F. Firoozyar & X. Song

Abstract

In view of present-day water stress, water transitions are necessary, incorporating both technological innovation and institutional reform. Water provisions and problems involve a range of diverging interests and values, with which a corresponding range of actors and stakeholders are connected. This paper focuses on both the social and the technological dynamics around river development and management, and explores the margins and possibilities of stakeholder involvement in water transitions. It draws on cases from The Netherlands, Bangladesh and China. Keywords: river systems, socio-technical systems, technological regimes, stakeholder involvement, water transitions. 1 Introduction Water managers and developers face a variety of sustainability problems and they are challenged to seek solutions in order to secure – and improve – the broad range of services that water systems deliver [1]. In fact, the scope of the challenges is such that complete \“transitions” are necessary, radical changes of water systems, incorporating not only technological innovation but also institutional reform. Water provisions and problems involve a range of diverging interests and values, with which a corresponding range of actors and stakeholders are connected. Consequently, stakeholder involvement is generally considered a necessity in solving water problems and realizing water transitions, though worldwide in varying degrees. The question, however, is to what extent

Keywords

river systems, socio-technical systems, technological regimes,stakeholder involvement, water transitions