Abstract
The importance of problem framing in relation with environmental
problems has been stated in various scientific contributions. In this
paper we intend to relate it to the issue of uncertainties in water
management. Dealing with uncertainties in water management is an
important issue and will increase to be so in light of global changes,
in particular climate change. To know how uncertainties are framed
in water management practice then is important in order to evaluate
strategies for dealing with these uncertainties. With the aim of identifying
what are important parameters for the framing of uncertainties
in water management practice, in this paper we analyze uncertainty
situations described by decision-makers in water management.
The analysis builds on a series of ¿Uncertainty Dialogues¿ carried
out within the NeWater project with water managers in the Rhine,
Elbe and Guadiana basins in 2006. During these dialogues, representatives
of these river basins were asked what uncertainties they en2
N. Isendahl, A. Dewulf, M. Brugnach, G. François, S. Möllenkamp, C. Pahl-Wostl
countered in their professional work life and how they confronted
them. Analysing these dialogues we identified several important parameters
of how uncertainties get framed. Our assumption is that
making framing of uncertainty explicit will allow for better dealing
with the respective uncertainty situations. In order to get a broader
picture of the framing of an uncertainty we therefore suggest to add
a third axis to the uncertainty matrix developed earlier by Brugnach
et al. (2007) detailing on the relation of actors towards an uncertainty
situation. This axis is assembled from the parameters identified
in this paper.
Original language | English |
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Pages | 1-22 |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Event | International Conference in Adaptive and Integrated Water Management, Coping with complexity and uncertainty - Duration: 12 Nov 2007 → 15 Nov 2007 |
Conference/symposium
Conference/symposium | International Conference in Adaptive and Integrated Water Management, Coping with complexity and uncertainty |
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Period | 12/11/07 → 15/11/07 |