Complexity of challenges associated with water resources management is
increasing due to factors such as climate variability and uncertainty, increased
regulatory requirements, changes in planning horizons, and trans-boundary
considerations. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and
Adaptive Management (AM) are widely publicized approaches developed and
proposed to deal with this complexity.
Both concepts have a history reaching back decades, but have been facing
difficulties in their transfer from theory into practice. There is a clear need to
look in more detail at the process of transforming IWRM and AM theory into
practice and this research investigates this process and the factors that mediate
it. A conceptual framework was developed - characterizing the process for
transfer of theory into practice - that formed the basis for development of the
research questions. The research approach focused on analyzing the
implementation pathways of IWRM and AM in four case studies, whose
selection was informed by the need to explore a context with extensive history
of IWRM and AM practice. Data collection took place through semi-structured
interviews aiming to uncover how those involved in planning and
implementation of IWRM and AM experienced these processes. Besides aiming
to understand the ‘lived experiences’, a more abstract framework of the
process, factors and dynamics was derived, grounded in the views of the
respondents.
The findings indicate different types of factors that influence the theory to
practice process for IWRM and AM, relating to: (a) theory and its use in
practice; (b) the environment that can complicate or facilitate the
implementation process; (c) the way cooperation and decision-making
processes are organized; and (d) individual attributes of those involved.
Incorporating lessons from past into current initiatives are vital to more effective
implementation of IWRM and AM. This research gives greater insight into the
mediating factors and dynamics, providing this through empirical evidence into design of IWRM and AM planning and implementation. It also provides a
thorough discussion on what IWRM and AM exactly mean, proposing a new
definition for both concepts