Abstract
Achieving sustainable forms of urban water management requires experimentation that
enables social learning. When analysing the water sector it becomes clear that modern society is much better at technological experimentation than at governance experimentation that enables wider social learning. The literature falls short in explicitly describing the dynamics by which emergent, innovative governance processes contribute to changes in existing, technocratic governance practices and arrangements. This empirical research paper reports the pattern by which a unique case of governance experimentation, within an urban water catchment in Australia, has created the social-political capital for significant changes in an established water governance framework. The study reveals the dynamics in three distinct phases of how experimentation contributed to transformation within the catchment; namely deepening (learning in local context), broadening (replicating in new contexts) and scaling up (new governance structures emerging). Results provide direction for design of experimental projects which aim to transition the water sector to more sustainable practices
enables social learning. When analysing the water sector it becomes clear that modern society is much better at technological experimentation than at governance experimentation that enables wider social learning. The literature falls short in explicitly describing the dynamics by which emergent, innovative governance processes contribute to changes in existing, technocratic governance practices and arrangements. This empirical research paper reports the pattern by which a unique case of governance experimentation, within an urban water catchment in Australia, has created the social-political capital for significant changes in an established water governance framework. The study reveals the dynamics in three distinct phases of how experimentation contributed to transformation within the catchment; namely deepening (learning in local context), broadening (replicating in new contexts) and scaling up (new governance structures emerging). Results provide direction for design of experimental projects which aim to transition the water sector to more sustainable practices
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 12th International Conference on Urban Drainage |
Publisher | Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities |
Number of pages | 8 |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |