When I posted James Nickum's article on 25 January 2015 I was 'reunited' with two classic IWRM papers - one from 2004 and the other from 2008. Here they are.
Biswas, Asit K. (2004). Integrated water resources management: a reassessment. Water
International 29(2): 248-256.
Grigg, Neil S. (2008). Integrated water resources management: balancing views and improving practice. Water International 33(3): 279-292.
Abstract (Biswas)
The concept of integrated water resources management (IWRM) has been
around for some 60 years. It was rediscovered by some in the 1990s. While at a first glance, the concept of IWRM looks attractive, a deeper analysis brings out many problems, both in concept and implementation, especially for meso- to macro-scale projects. The definition of IWRM continues to be amorphous, and there is no agreement on fundamental issues like what aspects should be integrated, how, by whom, or even if such integration in a wider sense is possible. The reasons for the current popularity of the concept are analyzed, and it is argued that in the real world, the concept will be exceedingly difficult to be made operational.Abstract (Grigg)
Integrated water resources management is a conceptual framework that is meant to describe the complexity of water decisions and the importance of
balancing stakeholder viewpoints. Implementation is difficult because of institutional barriers and because of definitional confu- sion over the precise meaning of IWRM. Improved governance is required to overcome insti- tutional barriers. Specific and unambiguous language may reduce confusion, but it may oversimplify the complexity. The present paper offers a brief definition of integrated water resources management and a list of seven elements for integration. Brief examples are then given from different countries in order to illustrate each of these elements. Coordination across geographic areas is recognized as a special challenge of integration and emerging efforts toward integration in some countries will bear close scrutiny to measure their success. Regardless of the ultimate success in promoting the concept of integrated water resources management, it communicates to stakeholders the notion that water decisions require balance and the promotion of shared values, such as conservation and the alleviation of poverty. If institutional barriers and confusion about the concept are overcome, actual improvements in water stewardship may result.
Enjoy!
"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." - Winston Churchill
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