Participatory simulation for coordination awareness concerning small water infrastructure and drought adaptation planning in semi-arid Mozambique

Abstract

In semi-arid area where water is scarce and natural resources constraints often limit rural livelihoods opportunities, Small Water Infrastructures (SWI) are essential to the local development. However the expansion of SW I raises new challenges as many small dispersed point of water extraction are difficult to adequately control and regulate. This brings the attention to the planning of SWI development planning along with the classical and non resolved issue of their long term sustainability. This paper argues that a participatory modelling and simulation approaches helps local actors to better understand the interactions between resources and actors strategies which in time could contribute to an integrative planning processes. It draws on a companion modelling approach using the Wat-A-Gale tool kit. The results of this pilot project show that the participants could acknowledge the local complexity associated with their livelihood strategies. In addition, some participants who had been included i n the overal I process and could more easi I y extrapolate were able to reflect on local integrative planning. (Résumé d'auteur