Restructuring and rescaling water governance in mining contexts: the co-production of waterscapes in Peru

The governance of water resources is prominent in both water policy agendas and academic scholarship. Political ecologists have made important advances in reconceptualising the relationship between water and society. Yet, while they have stressed both the scalar dimensions, and the politicised nature, of water governance, analyses of its scalar politics are relatively nascent. In this paper, we consider how the increased demand for water resources by the growing mining industry in Peru reconfigures and rescales water governance. In Peru, the mining industry’s thirst for water draws in, and reshapes, social relations, technologies, institutions and discourses that operate over varying spatial and temporal scales. We develop the concept of waterscape to examine these multiple ways in water is co-produced through mining, and become embedded in changing modes and structures of water governance, often beyond the watershed scale. We argue that an examination of waterscapes avoids the limitations of thinking about water in purely material terms, structuring analysis of water issues according to traditional spatial scales and institutional hierarchies, and taking these scales and structures for granted

The Alcobaça Abbey hydraulic landscape

Introduction: This paper concerns the main domain (“coutos”) of Alcobaça Abbey (central Portugal), founded in 1153. It shows the involvement of the Cistercian monks in shaping hydraulic landscapes along time. This monastic territory is limited westwards by the Atlantic ocean with a cliff coast indented by two large gulfs, the Pederneira lagoon, north , totally sanded up nowadays, and the Alfeizerão lagoon, south, of which only the São Martinho bay still exists. These landscapes have been consolidated along with the monks’ intervention in the hydrographic plan, particularly through a network of canals, the types of which can be summarized as follows: - canals for water conveyance and evacuation, to and from the abbey buildings; - canals related with water-powered engines as grain-, oil-, saw- and fulling-mills, forges and other industrial devices; - canals consequent to the diversion of rivers and streams with two main purposes: . to drain the fields in order to improve the marshes for agricultural use; . to irrigate cultures. Method: The hydraulic landscape planning has been identified and characterized through documentary research, stereoscopic interpretation of panchromatic and infrared “false colour” vertical aerial photographs, and land surveys. Findings / discussion: Flood control seems to have been one of the main hydro technical concern of the Cistercians. Their strategy was to subdivide some hydrographic basins, so that the fields would not be flooded. This was observed in the fields of the ancient Pederneira lagoon, for which an important cartography is available. But the same strategy was probably applied in the Alfeizerão fields. Besides the canals which were analyzed, other canal networks existed but it has not been possible to identify them till now because of the soil erosion or the topographic transformations together with the documental lack of knowledge. The more blatant situation concerns the old Valdeventos monastic farm, at the eastern limit of the “coutos”, where was found a large water storage structure, a tank, presumably to supply an irrigation canal network. Conclusion: Between the early 12th century and the mid 18th century, the Cistercian monks of the Alcobaça Abbey conceived and set in their “coutos” a hydraulic landscape composed by a network of canals with different purposes, and other water devices. This waterscape presents a high heritage value and deserves to be protected and developed.UID/HIS/00057/2013 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007702

Urban waterscapes as products, media and symbols of change – the re-invention of the Ruhr

Urban waterscapes are today a key element of revitalization strategies as locations for highscale office and housing estates as well as tourism and leisure amenities. Their renaissance is not only related to economic transformations; it also goes hand in hand with the re-establishment of urban waterscapes as important parts of the urban imagery and identity after years of neglect and ecologic devastation. We argue that new urban waterscapes have been and are being constructed as emblematic places for successful urban (re)development, and illustrate this argument with the case of the Ruhr Area in Germany. For several years, this old-industrial region has undertaken serious efforts to re-invent itself after having lost its former economic base and importance. The different dimensions of structural change are illustrated, possibly even explained by the new meaning and relevance of land- and waterscapes and by the way they are restored, re-interpreted and rebuilt. New waters can be considered as products of structural change, media of re-invention and symbols for regional advancement. Our five case studies show the range and variety of water- and landscape planning in the area. We aim to show that water was and still is part of the regional cultural landscape that is highly coined and designed according to its societal uses. Waterscapes are planned according to regional development and planning goals, not only for economic reasons, but also in recognition of attractive waters functioning as key carriers of regional identity

Native Waterscapes in the Northern Borderlands: Restoring Traditional Environmental Knowledge in Linda Hogan’s Solar Storms

In her novel Solar Storms (1995) Chickasaw novelist and poet Linda Hogan foresees what political geographers today refer to as waterscapes, that is, water-based environments where a multiplicity of human and other-than-human forces interact with each other producing diverse forms of signification. This essay examines Indigenous experiences of water, geography, and social activism as they intersect in Hogan‘s waterscape narrative. I ground my analysis of this visionary novel in recent geographical studies that look at waterscapes from the perspective of cultural politics and which criticize rationalist conceptions of water that reduce it to the sole function of human commodity. Challenging such a reductionist view, Western and non-Western political geographers have begun to take into account traditional environmental knowledge (TEK), local ecologies, and historically rooted, alternative social practices to argue that water environments produce meaning through the ways human and other-than-human beings experience them, and this includes beings such as the earth or water. In this article I contend that such a view is the epistemological backbone sustaining Hogan‘s Solar Storms. While the potential swirling action of water as a form of environmental and spiritual power is strongly highlighted, I also consider how alternative cartographical practices and stories may challenge the boundaries of colonial dominance and propose ways in which Hogan‘s waterscape may contribute to contemporary geographical and political debates concerning home, territory, sovereignty, and sustainability in the Americas.En su novela Solar Storms (1995), la novelista y poeta Chickasaw Linda Hogan anticipa el concepto de waterscape, un entorno natural acuático en el cual (tal y como se empieza a reconocer en el campo de la geografía política contemporánea) una multiplicidad de agentes humanos y no-humanos interactúa entre sí produciendo diferentes niveles de sentido. Este artículo considera el modo en que las comunidades indígenas entienden el agua, la geografía y el activismo social tomando como punto de partida los waterscapes descritos por Linda Hogan. Mi análisis está fundamentado en estudios geográficos recientes, los cuales examinan estos entornos acuáticos atendiendo a las nuevas políticas geoculturales, a la par que critican conceptualizaciones racionales occidentales que reducen el agua a la mera función de mercancía o recurso. Cuestionando esta perspectiva reduccionista, numerosos geógrafos políticos, occidentales y no occidentales, empiezan a reconocer el valor de la sabiduría ecológica tradicional de las comunidades indígenas, las prácticas ecológicas locales, así como una serie de prácticas geosociales alternativas que tienen también un fuerte arraigo histórico. Este grupo creciente de geógrafos alega que los entornos acuáticos cobran también significado a través de las múltiples experiencias que los seres humanos y no humanos tenemos de los mismos y esto incluye a seres naturales como la tierra o el agua. En este artículo defiendo que esta perspectiva orgánica y multivocal constituye el eje fundamental que sustenta la novela de Hogan. Paralelamente, demuestro cómo las historias y prácticas cartográficas alternativas presentadas en la novela, junto a la acción arremolinadora del agua como fuerza medioambiental y espiritual, cuestionan los límites del orden colonial dominante proponiendo maneras de intervención en los debates geopolíticos contemporáneos sobre hogar, territorio, soberanía y sostenibilidad en la América indígena

Mémoire du Futur. Safim-Safi Histoire d´une Ville Portuaire-Carrefour de Cultures. Pour une inscription sur la liste du patrimoine mondial de l´UNESCO. Rapport

Ce rapport est le résultat du travail commun et collaboratif entre deux groupes d’enseignants, un de l’Université Cadi Ayyad de Marrakech et un autre de l’Université d’Évora. Tout au long des années cette coopération a abouti à plusieurs conclusions, dont une des plus intéressantes c’est le terrain à exploiter : la ville de Safi. Là, on trouve un patrimoine d’origine portugaise à côté d’un autre bien marocain. Cependant, dans la ville, on comprend comme les gens vivent bien avec cette diversité, ce qui a contribué à bâtir une identité spéciale. D’une autre part, c’est assez claire la richesse de tout ce patrimoine : la musique traditionnelle, les pratiques liées à la mer et l’incroyable école de céramique de Safi se mélangent avec les châteaux et les murailles d’origine portugaise et les anciennes structures islamiques, comme le minaret almohade de l’ancienne mosquée de Safi. La plus intéressante surprise pour les groupes des deux universités était de constater que, après la promotion de réunions et de colloques sur ces sujets, plusieurs associations culturales locales et des citoyens, nous ont soutenu à organiser un projet qui pourrait assurer des alternatives de développement pour la population de la ville. Ce rapport inclue des documents formels du projet, cela veut dire : le projet et l’équipe. On a considéré également important d’intégrer une partie importante du matériel produit au moment des rencontres qui ont eu lieu entre par les deux groupes de recherche, bien qu’une partie des résultats du travail de terrain qui a déjà été élaboré. Ce projet est, en quelque sorte, l’accomplissement de la promesse de ces chercheurs vers la population de Safi. Et le voilà !Fundação para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia,FCT; CIDEHUS (Univ. Évora); Comune Urbane de Safi. Portuguese Studies Program, Univ. California Berkeley, EUA; Ministère de la Culture - Royaume du Maroc; Banco Santander

Approximation to new hybrid concepts to address problems hydric

En los últimos años, se multiplicaron las investigaciones críticas en torno al abordaje conceptual y teórico respecto al papel del agua en la compleja relación sociedad-naturaleza y en las relaciones de poder que atraviesan su gestión. Dentro de esta proliferación conceptual, algunos geógrafos anglosajones han tenido un papel determinante, particularmente aquellos influenciados por un giro epistemológico a veces calificado de post-natural. Conceptos como waterscape y ciclo hidro-social merecen, según nuestro juicio, una particular atención, especialmente en una provincia como Mendoza donde el agua es el pilar en torno al cual se organiza la sociedad y su territorio. En este trabajo nos proponemos principalmente, indagar estos nuevos conceptos, sus orígenes como así también, los debates teóricos que generan. Luego y de manera exploratoria, identificaremos sus aportes a la comprensión de las complejas problemáticas hídricas de la principal cuenca de la provincia, el río Mendoza. Metodológicamente, partiremos de una lectura crítica de la bibliografía especializada para luego, reinterpretar la situación hídrica de la cuenca a la luz de estos conceptos.These last years there has been a growing number of critical studies conveying a conceptual and theoretical approach to the role of water in the complex relationship of society and nature and to the power involved in its management. Within this concepts proliferation, some AngloSaxon geographers have played an important part, especially those who have taken on the challenge of combining the historical-geographical materialist legacy with the network theories—an epistemological turn sometimes described as post-natural. Concepts such as ―waterscape‖ and ―hydrological-social cycle‖ deserve close attention, particularly in a province like Mendoza, where water is at the base of social organization. This work looks into these new concepts, their origins and the theoretical discussions they promote, to further identify their contribution to the understanding of the complex waterrelated problems in the Mendoza river basin. Methodologically, we start from a critical Reading of the specialized literature followed by a new interpretation of the basin’s hydrological situation in the light of these concepts.Fil: Larsimont, Robin Sebastien. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Grosso Cepparo, Maria Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; Argentin

Verso la nuova stagione della sostenibilità condivisa. Effetti su territorio, città e pianificazione locale

Verso la nuova stagione della sostenibilità condivisa. Effetti su territorio, città e pianificazione locale Paolo De Pascali, Valentina Alberti, Michele Reginaldi Le politiche per la sostenibilità mostrano evidenti elementi di criticità. In particolare gli accordi internazionali si sono resi scarsamente efficaci per promuovere la sostenibilità in sede locale Il commercio delle emissioni (cap & trade) è il cardine delle politiche (anche UE). L’ipotesi che vengano favoriti interventi low carbon nella competizione con il prezzo delle emissioni finora si è rivelata errata nell’attuale sistema di mercato e di finanza speculativa Emission trading risulta inefficace per la riconversione verde dell’economia diffusa, non arriva ai territori. Anche burden sharing non ha penetrazione in basso, si ferma a regione e riguarda i grandi impianti energy intensive Sul decentramento e localismo energetico la politica UE si muove con circospezione e debolezza, senza decise direttive operative; il processo di decentramento locale della liberalizzazione risulta lento e poco pervasivo Manca una politica di supporto al localismo. Le politiche di sostenibilità non arrivano ai territori e non partono da essi; interessano poco i processi di piano locale; i PAES come strumenti di marketing politico e non piani effettivi La green economy mira a seguire i canoni della old economy del business centralizzato con scarse ricadute sulle comunità locali. La mancanza di radicamento e controllo sociale ha favorito anche nel settore delle rinnovabili l’economia del malaffare Nascono dal basso iniziative autonome di sostenibilità su modelli di sharing economy basati su fattori di condivisione e inclusione avanzate. Il processo di liberalizzazione dell’energia può essere il motore della condivisione allargata per nuova sostenibilità condivisa e non imposta La strategia delle Community Energy si basa su un quadro teso a ribaltare il paradigma procedurale centro/periferia nei modelli locali di sviluppo. Persegue inoltre l'obiettivo di qualificazione energetica delle comunità locali secondo la valutazione dei relativi benefici sociali Il modello di distretto energetico può diventare la proiezione territoriale della comunità (condivisa e inclusiva) dell’energia, il contesto fisico-spaziale in cui collimano domanda e offerta di energia, l’ambito socio-tecnico di progetto in cui convergono fattori di trasformazione del territorio e innovazioni dell’assetto sociale Incidono fattori finanziari nell’investimento; alcune attuali tendenze possono giocare a favore o contro l’autodeterminazione della comunità; ICT alla scala urbana e piattaforme di supporto all’economia condivisa possono o meno contribuire alla definizione di confini geografici della comunità e allargare a portatori di interesse esterni Se da un lato viene facilitato il reperimento dei finanziamenti necessari per l'avvio dei progetti, la perdita dei riferimenti spaziali potrebbe però potenzialmente snaturare l'intento di qualificazione sociale degli utili che la comunità locale sarebbe portata a reinvestire nel proprio territorio, indebolendo considerevolmente le capacità di controllo del processo con possibili ricadute anche sulle logiche stesse di governo del territorio. Il progetto di distretto di comunità può promuovere piani di riqualificazione urbana con recupero dell’esistente, integrazione delle funzioni, infilling, agricoltura urbana food e no food, forestazione e naturalizzazione, infrastrutturazione ecologico ambientale, rigenerazione della città sociale 20 Principi e obiettivi oramai ineludibili di sostenibilità localmente condivisa (sharing sustainability), trovano prospettive nell’azione delle comunità e dei territori in campo energetico, in tale contesto possono riempire di nuovi contenuti, procedure e attori l’azione pianificatoria locale (in evidente declino in questa fase storica), rilanciandone il ruolo e le potenzialità applicativeThe classical standards of sustainability, so defined in the last century and mostly top-down oriented, show clear signs of crisis, while the effects of the liberalisation process of the energy market, albeit still too slowly, are going to mark a new systemic change in the sustainability issues, with relevant implications at a socio-economic perspective and in the organisation of cities and rural areas. This process is opening the way for the development of models that incorporate local potentiality and the pursuit of objectives of sustainable territorial development, social inclusion and environmental respect. The current research aims to identify and examine the new innovative practices linked with the theme of sharing energy production that are arising from liberalization process, the correspondence between practices of social organization and effect of territorial governance and transformation. Production, distribution and consumption of energy, as well as the canons of expanded government that characterise them, are confronted with the functional organisation of the territory and they can produce gradual transformation towards forms of better coherence between governance and sustainability targets; the local inclusive community can determine a new energy district model and energy district can contribute to build up communities

The circle of hydro-hegemony between riparian states, development policies and borderlands: evidence from the Talas waterscape (Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan)

Since the 1990s, transboundary water management has come to play a key role both in global environmental politics debates and in the shaping of international development policies, specifically in the Global South. As a consequence, a growing body of literature in the framework of critical hydropolitics has emerged reflecting on the role that power, discourses, and strategies play in shaping transboundary water policies and in influencing riparian relations. The focus on a state-centric perspective, however, often has led to neglect of the role of international development actors in shaping these policies. Through a critical application of the Circle of Hydro-Hegemony (CHH) and ethnographic qualitative field research in borderlands, this contribution aims to analyse how the establishment of a development initiative known as the Chu-Talas Commission, supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and other donors, has influenced and shaped transboundary water politics in the Talas waterscape, which is shared by Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The evidence shows that despite the international narration of the Chu-Talas Commission as a success story for water cooperation in Central Asia, Kazakhstan, through the deployment of both material and bargaining power strategies, has been able to shape UNECE development policies in its favour, impose its agenda on Kyrgyzstan, and emerge as the basin hydro-hegemon