Your search found 8 records
1 Laszlo, E. (Ed.) 1987. Evolution: The grand synthesis. Shambhala, MA, USA: New Science Library. xix, 211p.
(Location: IWMI-HQ Call no: 575 G000 LAS Record No: H05146)
2 Kaushal, S. S.; McDowell, W. H.; Wollheim, W. M.; Johnson, T. A. N.; Mayer, P. M.; Belt, K. T.; Pennino, M. J. 2015. Urban evolution: the role of water. Water, 7(8)4063-4087. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/w7084063]
Urbanization ; Evolution ; Water management ; Watersheds ; Rivers ; Rainwater ; Wastewater treatment ; Water quality ; Sanitation ; Salinity ; Alkalinity ; Environmental effects ; Ecosystems ; Economic aspects ; Social aspects ; Industrialization ; Hydrological factors
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047146)
(1.30 MB) (1.29 MB)
The structure, function, and services of urban ecosystems evolve over time scales from seconds to centuries as Earth’s population grows, infrastructure ages, and sociopolitical values alter them. In order to systematically study changes over time, the concept of “urban evolution” was proposed. It allows urban planning, management, and restoration to move beyond reactive management to predictive management based on past observations of consistent patterns. Here, we define and review a glossary of core concepts for studying urban evolution, which includes the mechanisms of urban selective pressure and urban adaptation. Urban selective pressure is an environmental or societal driver contributing to urban adaptation. Urban adaptation is the sequential process by which an urban structure, function, or services becomes more fitted to its changing environment or human choices. The role of water is vital to driving urban evolution as demonstrated by historical changes in drainage, sewage flows, hydrologic pulses, and long-term chemistry. In the current paper, we show how hydrologic traits evolve across successive generations of urban ecosystems via shifts in selective pressures and adaptations over time. We explore multiple empirical examples including evolving: (1) urban drainage from stream burial to stormwater management; (2) sewage flows and water quality in response to wastewater treatment; (3) amplification of hydrologic pulses due to the interaction between urbanization and climate variability; and (4) salinization and alkalinization of fresh water due to human inputs and accelerated weathering. Finally, we propose a new conceptual model for the evolution of urban waters from the Industrial Revolution to the present day based on empirical trends and historical information. Ultimately, we propose that water itself is a critical driver of urban evolution that forces urban adaptation, which transforms the structure, function, and services of urban landscapes, waterways, and civilizations over time.
3 Solik, B.; Penning-Rowsell, E. C. 2017. Adding an implementation phase to the framework for flood policy evolution: insights from South Africa. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 33(1):51-68. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2016.1142860]
Disaster risk management ; Risk reduction ; Flooding ; Policy ; Evolution ; Frameworks ; Legislation ; Weather hazards ; Assessment ; State intervention ; Case studies / South Africa / Eden District Municipality
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048005)
(1.44 MB)
South African flood risk management policy changed radically after the end of apartheid (1994), with the Disaster Management Act of 2002 promoting a modern proactive approach. However, policy document research and two case studies show an implementation deficit. The ‘crises and catalysts’ theoretical framework used to analyze flood policy evolution needs more attention to implementation issues and the learning involved. Future flood policy change in South Africa or elsewhere should ensure that the process of learning is purposefully embedded within the structures, procedures and practices that are promoted to facilitate policy implementation, rather than being left to chance.
4 Reddy, V. R.; Saharawat, Y. S.; George, B. 2017. Watershed management in South Asia: a synoptic review. Journal of Hydrology, 551:4-13. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2017.05.043]
Watershed management ; Evolution ; Sustainability ; Hydrology ; Rainwater ; Water harvesting ; Soil conservation ; Moisture conservation ; Environmental effects ; Economic impact ; Social impact ; Living standards ; Equity ; Corporate culture / South Asia / Afghanistan / Bangladesh / Bhutan / India / Nepal / Pakistan / Sri Lanka
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048240)
(0.97 MB)
Watershed management (WSM) is the most widely adopted technology in developed as well as developing countries due to its suitability across climatic conditions. Watershed technology is suitable to protect and enhance soil fertility, which is deteriorating at an alarming rate with agricultural intensification in high as well as low rainfall regions. Of late, WSM is considered as an effective poverty alleviation intervention in the rain fed regions in countries like India. This paper aims at providing a basic watershed policy and implementation framework based on a critical review of experiences of WSM initiatives across South Asia. The purpose is to provide cross learnings within South Asia and other developing countries (especially Africa) that are embarking on WSM in recent years.
Countries in the region accord differential policy priority and are at different levels of institutional arrangements for implementing WSM programmes. The implementation of watershed interventions is neither scientific nor comprehensive in all the countries limiting the effectiveness (impacts). Implementation of the programmes for enhancing the livelihoods of the communities need to strengthen both technical and institutional aspects. While countries like India and Nepal are yet to strengthen the technical aspects in terms of integrating hydrogeology and biophysical aspects into watershed design, others need to look at these aspects as they move towards strengthening the watershed institutions.
Another important challenge in all the countries is regarding the distribution of benefits. Due to the existing property rights in land and water resources coupled with the agrarian structure and uneven distribution and geometry of aquifers access to sub-surface water resources is unevenly distributed across households. Though most of the countries are moving towards incorporating livelihoods components in order to ensure benefits to all sections of the community, not much is done in terms of addressing the equity aspects of WSM.
Countries in the region accord differential policy priority and are at different levels of institutional arrangements for implementing WSM programmes. The implementation of watershed interventions is neither scientific nor comprehensive in all the countries limiting the effectiveness (impacts). Implementation of the programmes for enhancing the livelihoods of the communities need to strengthen both technical and institutional aspects. While countries like India and Nepal are yet to strengthen the technical aspects in terms of integrating hydrogeology and biophysical aspects into watershed design, others need to look at these aspects as they move towards strengthening the watershed institutions.
Another important challenge in all the countries is regarding the distribution of benefits. Due to the existing property rights in land and water resources coupled with the agrarian structure and uneven distribution and geometry of aquifers access to sub-surface water resources is unevenly distributed across households. Though most of the countries are moving towards incorporating livelihoods components in order to ensure benefits to all sections of the community, not much is done in terms of addressing the equity aspects of WSM.
5 Yasmin, T.; Farrelly, M. A.; Rogers, B. C. 2018. Evolution of water governance in Bangladesh: an urban perspective. World Development, 109:386-400. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.05.003]
Water governance ; Evolution ; Sustainability ; Urban development ; Integrated management ; Water resources development ; Water management ; Water supply ; Water institutions ; Millennium Development Goals ; Nongovernmental organizations / Bangladesh
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048939)
(4.52 MB)
Within the context of urban transformations, water governance has received global attention due to its growing complexities in responding to wicked and multifaceted challenges, such as rapidly growing populations, increased resource demand and uncertain climate futures. To date, much of the empirical research on water governance and urban transformations has examined developed cities, with limited investigation of developing cities. This paper therefore aims to enrich current empirical insights regarding the evolution of, and key shifts within urban water governance in Bangladesh. Drawing on recent developments in sustainability transitions and urban water governance scholarship, the paper charts 250 years of water resource development in Bangladesh. Analysis of primary and secondary qualitative data sources revealed five major periods between 1757 and 2016 that represent key changes to governance approaches that underpinned sectoral changes. Although the shifts in governance approaches have cumulatively improved the adaptive capacity of Bangladesh’s urban water system, they have not been framed to provide guidance and facilitation for driving on-ground change, which may be inhibiting a sustainable transformation of Bangladesh’s urban water sector. Nevertheless, the insights do provide important foundations for informing the development of new governance models capable of dealing with multi-scale strategies for supporting a sustainability transformation.
6 Nkhata, B. A. 2018. Contested access: improving water security through benefit sharing. Water International, 43(8):1040-1054. (Special issue: The Global Water Security Challenge). [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060.2018.1534547]
Water security ; Water availability ; River basins ; Water use ; Cooperation ; Evolution ; Agreements ; Conflicts ; State intervention ; Tourism ; Case studies / Zambia / Zambezi River Basin / Lower Zambezi National Park
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049037)
(1.61 MB)
This article examines the potential and limits of benefit-sharing regimes in improving water security. It draws on a case study of benefit-sharing regimes focusing on the non-consumptive use of the Zambezi River basin. It demonstrates how these regimes have transformed over time from hierarchical to egalitarian benefit-sharing arrangements through the application of conflict-resolution mechanisms. This case analysis is aimed at informing benefit-sharing policies for African river basins.
7 Banerjee, Anurag; Chakraborty, Shreya; Mukherji, Aditi. 2022. Historical evolution of the agrifood system in Odisha, India. Proceedings of the Workshop on Expert Multistakeholder Consultation - Historical Evolution of the Agrifood System in Odisha, India, Bhubaneshwar, India, 25 November 2022. New Delhi, India: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA). 6p.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051636)
(939 KB)
As a part of the Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA) initiative’s holistic food systems approach, IWMI led a study tracing the historical evolution of food systems in the state of Odisha, India. The expert consultation aimed to solicit views on framing and situating the historical study within the current food systems-related discussions. The study is conducted by Dr. Anindita Sarkar, Delhi University. Stakeholders offered substantial feedback on increasing the geographical and community scope of the study, important timelines to include, and relevant issues of the local agrifood system relevant for the region.
8 Dunlop, T.; Khojasteh, D.; Cohen-Shacham, E.; Glamore, W.; Haghani, M.; van den Bosch, M.; Rizzi, D.; Greve, P.; Felder, S. 2024. The evolution and future of research on nature-based solutions to address societal challenges. Communications Earth and Environment, 5:132. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01308-8]
Nature-based solutions ; Research ; Innovation ; Evolution ; Biodiversity ; Human health ; Economic development ; Social development ; Food security ; Water security ; Ecosystem services ; Disaster risk reduction ; Climate change mitigation ; Climate change adaptation ; Environmental degradation ; Resilience
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052785)
(2.43 MB) (2.43 MB)
Nature-based Solutions are recognised for their potential to address the biodiversity and climate crises, and less extensively, other societal challenges. However, this nature-society relationship is becoming more important as available food and water resources, income, and human health, are increasingly impacted by environmental changes. Here, we utilise the seven major societal challenges addressed by Nature-based Solutions according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, to identify the primary themes of the Nature-based Solutions research landscape from 1990-2021. We evaluate how these themes, with respect to the societal challenges, evolved over time, and where. Our findings highlight the under-representation of four societal challenges across the research landscape: economic and social development, human health, food security, and water security. We propose six research pathways to advance the evidence for Nature-based Solutions in these societal challenges, and present opportunities for future research programs to prioritise the needs of society, the environment, and the economy.
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