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1 – 10 of 208This paper aims to study dams on transboundary rivers. In this study, the case of the Nu–Salween–Thanlwin River is reviewed. This study is an attempt toward developing a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study dams on transboundary rivers. In this study, the case of the Nu–Salween–Thanlwin River is reviewed. This study is an attempt toward developing a conceptual model to explain the unequal hydropower exchange of hydropower dams on transboundary rivers.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviews big dam project plans on the Salween–Thanlwin River near the Myanmar–Thailand border from the perspective of critical hydropolitics. The evidence is drawn from an extensive review of academic literature, reports, newspapers and websites on this topic. Cascao and Zeitoun’s (2010) four pillars of power, namely, geographical, material, bargaining and ideational power, are reviewed in the case of the Salween–Thanlwin River and its riparian states.
Findings
On the basis of a realist discourse, power relationships between dams and their socio-environmental effects are discussed from the perspective of critical hydropolitics. Multiple levels of power asymmetry regarding geographical, material, bargaining and ideational power are observed. The powerful states are high electricity consumers and importers. They invest in hydroelectric dams of adjacent developing states and buy back most of the electricity generated to fuel their industrialization and urbanization. Weak states generally do not have high bargaining power. They depend on the investment of high material power states for domestic and economic development and gain from the export of electricity. However, the externalities of hydropower dams are transferred to these weak states. This contributes to an unequal hydropower exchange model.
Practical implications
The model provides an analytical framework for hydropower dam projects through which comprehensive and multidimensional views are extracted. Academia, policymakers, private developers, international development agencies and nongovernment organizations will have a better understanding of hydropower dam projects and the interactions among riparian states.
Originality/value
This conceptual model stems from Cascao and Zeitoun’s (2010) four pillars of power – geographical, material, bargaining and ideational power. The author limits the framework to hydroelectric dams in transboundary rivers. The powerful states are high electricity consumers and importers that dominate the dam development projects and exchange process.
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This paper aims to fill the gaps by conducting the first large n study examining the role of third parties in the emergence of river agreements in Asia and Africa during the time…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to fill the gaps by conducting the first large n study examining the role of third parties in the emergence of river agreements in Asia and Africa during the time period 1948-2007. There is a growing literature on what explains agreements in river disputes. However, beyond individual case analysis, little systematic study has been done on the role of third parties in settling river disputes through agreement, in particular on the regions that are mostly affected by the global climate change.
Design/methodology/approach
Through utilising new data on the role of third parties in river disputes, this study shows that third party involvement in the conflict management of river disputes increases the likelihood of reaching river agreements.
Findings
The findings suggest that third parties use both diplomatic and economic means to increase the likelihood of emergence of river agreements, and both strategies are equally important to induce formalised cooperation.
Research limitations/implications
Yet the present study covers only two regions, and it does not delve into a discussion of the conditions under which third party interventions are successful. Rather, these are aspects that need to be explored in the future.
Practical implications
Given the current uncertainty around security challenges resulting from climate change, and with predictions of future water wars, this research contributes to the understanding how to peacefully manage current and potential conflicts around transboundary waters.
Originality/value
This study is the first large n study examining the role of third parties in the emergence of river agreements in Asia and Africa.
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Achilleas G. Samaras and Christopher G. Koutitas
To study the impact of River Nestos (North Greece) dams construction on coastal morphology.
Abstract
Purpose
To study the impact of River Nestos (North Greece) dams construction on coastal morphology.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to study the evolution of the coastal morphology in the area, an “one‐line shoreline change model” was developed (PELNCON). The model's input comprises the field characteristics, the wave characteristics at the breaker line and a “source” term for the sediment supply rate by River Nestos. The model calculates the shoreline change over a given period of time. The annually transported sediment quantity by the river is estimated using filed measurements and other models' results for various sites along the Greek part of the hydrologic basin of Nestos (Nestos is a transboundary river extending along Greece and Bulgaria).
Findings
The “PELNCON” results demonstrate a serious erosion threat for the coastal area due to the sediment budget deficit of about 1.8 × 106 m3/year.
Research limitations/implications
The developed model is subject to common structural weaknesses of computational modelling based on the one‐line shoreline change theory.
Practical implications
The developed model is user‐friendly and can be applied to any coastal area of known characteristics, providing realistic results.
Originality/value
This paper is an attempt to model the correlation between two large‐scale phenomena, namely coastal erosion and water/sediment management in river basins, setting at the same time the basis for further study on this particular scientific field.
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Daniel Petry and Ines Dombrowsky
Given that the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) calls for the management of water resources at the river basin level, the German water sector, which has historically been…
Abstract
Given that the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) calls for the management of water resources at the river basin level, the German water sector, which has historically been dominated by the federal states and has been organized along administrative borders, is now challenged to be reorganized. The article introduces the German water sector, reviews past experiences with river basin management such as North Rhine–Westphalia's water associations, the river basin organizations of the former German Democratic Republic, and international river commissions, and addresses current challenges in connection with the implementation of WFD.
In this chapter, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uzkekistan to the United Nations, His Excellency Murad Askarov, sets forth his nation's concerns over transboundary…
Abstract
In this chapter, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uzkekistan to the United Nations, His Excellency Murad Askarov, sets forth his nation's concerns over transboundary rivers in Central Asia and the protection of Uzbekistan's rights as the most downstream nation in the region. A key focus of the chapter is the continuance of Soviet-era dam projects in the headwaters of the region's two principal rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya. In particular, the chapter focuses upon the potential adverse impacts associated with the completion of the Rogun hydropower project by Tajikstan in the headwaters of the Amu Darya. International opposition to the project is summarized. And the unequivocal opposition of Uzbekistan is made clear.
Md. Anwarul Abedin, Umma Habiba and Rajib Shaw
The Indus, Mekong, and Ganges River deltas, which have created one of the world’s largest delta and submarine fan system, currently contribute a major fraction of freshwater to…
Abstract
The Indus, Mekong, and Ganges River deltas, which have created one of the world’s largest delta and submarine fan system, currently contribute a major fraction of freshwater to East and South Asia. All these deltas are those regions in the world that face major challenges in their water sector due to population growth, urbanization, industrialization, sea-level rise, and salinity intrusion into inland and water bodies, all aggravated by climate change. Among them, salinity intrusion is currently one of the key issues that directly and indirectly cause water insecurity in East and South Asia, which ultimately hamper livelihood, agricultural production, and social interference. Hence, this chapter gives a comprehensive description on the nature and extent of the salinity problem, its adverse effects on livelihood and water sector, and then the focus goes to current and future sustainable water resource management within the delta to finally move on to conclusion and suggestions.
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Harkunti Pertiwi Rahayu, Richard Haigh, Dilanthi Amaratunga, Benedictus Kombaitan, Devina Khoirunnisa and Vito Pradana
This paper aims to describe an in-depth study that aimed to assess and develop a strategic disaster risk reduction plan to integrate climate change adaptation countermeasures in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe an in-depth study that aimed to assess and develop a strategic disaster risk reduction plan to integrate climate change adaptation countermeasures in Cilincing, a North Jakarta City sub-district.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a back-casting approach to cover hazard assessment induced by increased susceptibility, as well as vulnerability, both as a baseline study and projected up to 2045 at the micro level. The urban village (Kelurahan) level is the unit of analysis. The capacity analysis is used as baseline data, which is reviewed against the trend of the hazard and vulnerability.
Findings
The results of the study identify short-, medium- and long-term recommendations to integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaption. These include capacity building, especially emergency response capabilities, an increase of drainage capacity, improvements to transboundary management and minimising driving forces.
Practical implications
These findings at the micro level are very important to present a more holistic and realistic strategy that can be implemented until 2045, but also provides a basis for up scaling into metropolitan region planning.
Originality/value
This is a unique, micro-scale case study in the Cilincing sub-district of Jakarta that assesses and develops strategic disaster risk countermeasures and a reduction plan that integrates the effects of climate change, thereby addressing future disaster risk in Jakarta.
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Water stress in China.
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB205966
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Outlook for water security in South Africa.
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB201497
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Water disputes in South Asia.