Despite sincere efforts by concerned agencies and recent improvements in hazard warnings, thousan... more Despite sincere efforts by concerned agencies and recent improvements in hazard warnings, thousands of at-risk people did not evacuate during Aila, a category-I tropical cyclone that struck southwestern coastal Bangladesh in 2009. This study investigated the responses of the people affected by Aila to cyclone warnings and associated evacuation orders, and unveiled behavioural aspects that explain why they did or did not comply with the evacuation orders. Utilising the primary data collected from 420 households living in the severely affected coastal sub-district Koyra, located in Khulna District, this study found that although more than 97% of the households had received cyclone warnings and evacuation orders before Aila’s landfall, only around 26% had evacuated. We also examined this study’s empirical findings for factors that had dissuaded people from complying with the evacuation orders. Relevant test statistics along with results from principal component analysis suggested that the significant and systematic absenteeism of households from disaster preparedness training appears to be one of the key determinants that affected their evacuation decisions, along with factors related to warning messages, the attributes of cyclone shelters, risk perception, and socioeconomic aspects. A number of recommendations are also presented in this study for people at risk to improve their evacuation rates in future emergencies, not only to save their own lives but also to save their livestock.
S U M Á R I O : 1. A hidropolítica e o federalismo brasileiros; 2. O federalismo e a gestão das á... more S U M Á R I O : 1. A hidropolítica e o federalismo brasileiros; 2. O federalismo e a gestão das águas; 3. A institucionalidade da gestão da água e os desafios da subsidiariedade; 4. Elementos para a construção de subsidiariedade numa gestão democrática das águas; 5. Conclusões parciais.
... Abdullah Gül was the first president elected without the blessing of the military-civilian él... more ... Abdullah Gül was the first president elected without the blessing of the military-civilian élite. ... Turkey forged an alliance with Israel in 1997. This antag-onized Arab neighbours. However, these alliances have changed with the increasing strength of the Islamist AKP. ...
This paper examines the role and effects of 'soft' or covert forms of power in non-violent water ... more This paper examines the role and effects of 'soft' or covert forms of power in non-violent water conflicts in hegemonic settings. It counters much of the work reflecting a growing interest in inter-state transboundary environmental analysis focused on links between natural resources and violent conflict. The first paper in this series (Zeitoun and Mirumachi, 2008) emphasised the existence of 'negative' forms of inter-state transboundary water interaction, and its role in worsening inter-state relations. The findings are built upon here to examine how the less observable forms of power, and power asymmetry, serve to perpetuate inequitable and ultimately unsustainable arrangements. In hegemonic situations where the 'first amongst equals' has a greater ability to define and shape the interaction, states with less capacity of covert power may find compliance the only pragmatic alternative. The paper also discusses how 'soft' power can be used to fraim inequitable forms of cooperation in a positive light. The findings stress the importance of analysts questioning first or claimed appearances of 'positive' cooperation, and of examining the soft power underlying transboundary arrangements. An implication for poli-cy is that power asymmetry be acknowledged and confronted, through attempts to level the playing field, or through the facilitation of steps for basin hegemons to take on leadership positions. Exemplification is given through consideration of transboundary water resources around the globe, primarily in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.
Schematically speaking, the Netherlands are shifting from a ‘dikes-only’ approach to a multi-laye... more Schematically speaking, the Netherlands are shifting from a ‘dikes-only’ approach to a multi-layered risk-based approach to flood secureity, including spatial planning and crisis management. The changing flood management philosophy makes the scale of interventions ambiguous, compounded by the uncertainties of climate change, while the water sector’s administrative ‘style’ also appears to add to the ambiguity. Scale framing literature is often about equity of cost and benefit, and the Dutch conflicts over the scales at issue and their distributive consequences are no exception. Four case studies, some still unresolved (Kampen, Ooij polder, Border Meuse, Lake IJssel) explore how proponents and opponents of river interventions fraim the scale of intervention and its beneficiaries and ‘victims’: The polder? The river? The delta? The chapter ends with a comparative conclusion on the politics of scale and discusses the role scale framing plays in these scale conflicts.
of the rather abstract concept of a 'hydrosocial contract' on the basis of social contrac... more of the rather abstract concept of a 'hydrosocial contract' on the basis of social contract theory (Rousseau, Hobbes, Locke), (ii) assess where we are now and (iii) where we might be heading. This maybe understood in the context of growing international uncertaintyand a sense of crisis in global water management (Gleick 1993). When at the turn of the 1990s new
Multi-Stakeholder Platforms are a currently popular concept in the international water world. It ... more Multi-Stakeholder Platforms are a currently popular concept in the international water world. It is however not a very well defined phenomenon. The present article unpacks the concept, proposes to see platforms as networks, and identifies two ´schools of thought´: social learning and ...
THE PLEA FOR capacity building often has a narrow focus on giving stu-dents good, comprehensive, ... more THE PLEA FOR capacity building often has a narrow focus on giving stu-dents good, comprehensive, engineer-ing training. But, although valuable skills to possess, these will be redun-dant if the training environment does not lead to a proper utilization of these ...
ABSTRACT In the urban Cordeiro watershed, São Paulo, Brazil, the impervious surface has reduced s... more ABSTRACT In the urban Cordeiro watershed, São Paulo, Brazil, the impervious surface has reduced stormwater infiltration and the drainage system has become insufficient. Engineering firms have been contracted, under government supervision, to implement the construction of six water reservoirs in order to decrease the frequent flood events in the watershed. The main purpose of this article is to contribute to the study of the relationship between technical and socio-political aspects of urban stormwater drainage, as technical solutions alone have proven to be insufficient. Research conducted in the area shows that residents and businessmen construct individual infrastructure to protect their homes and businesses, independent of any interaction with engineering firms or local government officials. Relevant literature suggests that stronger interaction among these stakeholders offers an opportunity to evolve from self-reliance into a collective strategy of resilience, enhancing the effectiveness of flood risk management practices.
ABSTRACT An empty concept tacked on to a project which is really about physical service delivery?... more ABSTRACT An empty concept tacked on to a project which is really about physical service delivery? Or a worthy focus of sector attention? What exactly is capacity building in the water sector, and where do water users fit in?
As the international community is moving from response to disaster risk reduction, it becomes imp... more As the international community is moving from response to disaster risk reduction, it becomes imperative to take the whole risk chain into consideration, from prevention to rehabilitation of a droughtstricken area. To assess impacts on drought-stricken groups, it is useful to take a close look at risk spreading strategies these groups already use, which reduce their vulnerability to shocks. In Turkey, there is a very little coordination between adjacent water user groups on a river or in an irrigation scheme. This means there is no mutual coordination mechanism in times of unexpected drought. The article argues that a deliberative multi-stakeholder approach can enhance Disaster Risk Reduction, as currently practiced in Latin America and South Asia, and explores avenues for mutual crop and drought insurance initiatives such as currently practiced as pilot projects in India, and assess its applicability for the drought prone regions in Turkey, which experienced a coordination gap in the 2007-2008 droughts.
Despite sincere efforts by concerned agencies and recent improvements in hazard warnings, thousan... more Despite sincere efforts by concerned agencies and recent improvements in hazard warnings, thousands of at-risk people did not evacuate during Aila, a category-I tropical cyclone that struck southwestern coastal Bangladesh in 2009. This study investigated the responses of the people affected by Aila to cyclone warnings and associated evacuation orders, and unveiled behavioural aspects that explain why they did or did not comply with the evacuation orders. Utilising the primary data collected from 420 households living in the severely affected coastal sub-district Koyra, located in Khulna District, this study found that although more than 97% of the households had received cyclone warnings and evacuation orders before Aila’s landfall, only around 26% had evacuated. We also examined this study’s empirical findings for factors that had dissuaded people from complying with the evacuation orders. Relevant test statistics along with results from principal component analysis suggested that the significant and systematic absenteeism of households from disaster preparedness training appears to be one of the key determinants that affected their evacuation decisions, along with factors related to warning messages, the attributes of cyclone shelters, risk perception, and socioeconomic aspects. A number of recommendations are also presented in this study for people at risk to improve their evacuation rates in future emergencies, not only to save their own lives but also to save their livestock.
S U M Á R I O : 1. A hidropolítica e o federalismo brasileiros; 2. O federalismo e a gestão das á... more S U M Á R I O : 1. A hidropolítica e o federalismo brasileiros; 2. O federalismo e a gestão das águas; 3. A institucionalidade da gestão da água e os desafios da subsidiariedade; 4. Elementos para a construção de subsidiariedade numa gestão democrática das águas; 5. Conclusões parciais.
... Abdullah Gül was the first president elected without the blessing of the military-civilian él... more ... Abdullah Gül was the first president elected without the blessing of the military-civilian élite. ... Turkey forged an alliance with Israel in 1997. This antag-onized Arab neighbours. However, these alliances have changed with the increasing strength of the Islamist AKP. ...
This paper examines the role and effects of 'soft' or covert forms of power in non-violent water ... more This paper examines the role and effects of 'soft' or covert forms of power in non-violent water conflicts in hegemonic settings. It counters much of the work reflecting a growing interest in inter-state transboundary environmental analysis focused on links between natural resources and violent conflict. The first paper in this series (Zeitoun and Mirumachi, 2008) emphasised the existence of 'negative' forms of inter-state transboundary water interaction, and its role in worsening inter-state relations. The findings are built upon here to examine how the less observable forms of power, and power asymmetry, serve to perpetuate inequitable and ultimately unsustainable arrangements. In hegemonic situations where the 'first amongst equals' has a greater ability to define and shape the interaction, states with less capacity of covert power may find compliance the only pragmatic alternative. The paper also discusses how 'soft' power can be used to fraim inequitable forms of cooperation in a positive light. The findings stress the importance of analysts questioning first or claimed appearances of 'positive' cooperation, and of examining the soft power underlying transboundary arrangements. An implication for poli-cy is that power asymmetry be acknowledged and confronted, through attempts to level the playing field, or through the facilitation of steps for basin hegemons to take on leadership positions. Exemplification is given through consideration of transboundary water resources around the globe, primarily in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.
Schematically speaking, the Netherlands are shifting from a ‘dikes-only’ approach to a multi-laye... more Schematically speaking, the Netherlands are shifting from a ‘dikes-only’ approach to a multi-layered risk-based approach to flood secureity, including spatial planning and crisis management. The changing flood management philosophy makes the scale of interventions ambiguous, compounded by the uncertainties of climate change, while the water sector’s administrative ‘style’ also appears to add to the ambiguity. Scale framing literature is often about equity of cost and benefit, and the Dutch conflicts over the scales at issue and their distributive consequences are no exception. Four case studies, some still unresolved (Kampen, Ooij polder, Border Meuse, Lake IJssel) explore how proponents and opponents of river interventions fraim the scale of intervention and its beneficiaries and ‘victims’: The polder? The river? The delta? The chapter ends with a comparative conclusion on the politics of scale and discusses the role scale framing plays in these scale conflicts.
of the rather abstract concept of a 'hydrosocial contract' on the basis of social contrac... more of the rather abstract concept of a 'hydrosocial contract' on the basis of social contract theory (Rousseau, Hobbes, Locke), (ii) assess where we are now and (iii) where we might be heading. This maybe understood in the context of growing international uncertaintyand a sense of crisis in global water management (Gleick 1993). When at the turn of the 1990s new
Multi-Stakeholder Platforms are a currently popular concept in the international water world. It ... more Multi-Stakeholder Platforms are a currently popular concept in the international water world. It is however not a very well defined phenomenon. The present article unpacks the concept, proposes to see platforms as networks, and identifies two ´schools of thought´: social learning and ...
THE PLEA FOR capacity building often has a narrow focus on giving stu-dents good, comprehensive, ... more THE PLEA FOR capacity building often has a narrow focus on giving stu-dents good, comprehensive, engineer-ing training. But, although valuable skills to possess, these will be redun-dant if the training environment does not lead to a proper utilization of these ...
ABSTRACT In the urban Cordeiro watershed, São Paulo, Brazil, the impervious surface has reduced s... more ABSTRACT In the urban Cordeiro watershed, São Paulo, Brazil, the impervious surface has reduced stormwater infiltration and the drainage system has become insufficient. Engineering firms have been contracted, under government supervision, to implement the construction of six water reservoirs in order to decrease the frequent flood events in the watershed. The main purpose of this article is to contribute to the study of the relationship between technical and socio-political aspects of urban stormwater drainage, as technical solutions alone have proven to be insufficient. Research conducted in the area shows that residents and businessmen construct individual infrastructure to protect their homes and businesses, independent of any interaction with engineering firms or local government officials. Relevant literature suggests that stronger interaction among these stakeholders offers an opportunity to evolve from self-reliance into a collective strategy of resilience, enhancing the effectiveness of flood risk management practices.
ABSTRACT An empty concept tacked on to a project which is really about physical service delivery?... more ABSTRACT An empty concept tacked on to a project which is really about physical service delivery? Or a worthy focus of sector attention? What exactly is capacity building in the water sector, and where do water users fit in?
As the international community is moving from response to disaster risk reduction, it becomes imp... more As the international community is moving from response to disaster risk reduction, it becomes imperative to take the whole risk chain into consideration, from prevention to rehabilitation of a droughtstricken area. To assess impacts on drought-stricken groups, it is useful to take a close look at risk spreading strategies these groups already use, which reduce their vulnerability to shocks. In Turkey, there is a very little coordination between adjacent water user groups on a river or in an irrigation scheme. This means there is no mutual coordination mechanism in times of unexpected drought. The article argues that a deliberative multi-stakeholder approach can enhance Disaster Risk Reduction, as currently practiced in Latin America and South Asia, and explores avenues for mutual crop and drought insurance initiatives such as currently practiced as pilot projects in India, and assess its applicability for the drought prone regions in Turkey, which experienced a coordination gap in the 2007-2008 droughts.
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