A Review of Engineering-Orgware Factors in the Project of Huai River Management Early after the Founding of the PRC (1950—1957)

Abstract

During the early days of New China (1950—1957), a relatively complete flood control, drainage,and irrigation system in the Huai River was established by the central government without adequate engineering-hardware and engineering-software, including financial and material resources as well as technology and equipment. In this process, the engineering orgware factors, including the engineering concept of "the balance of flood storage and drainage" , engineering organization mode of "pool resources to address major problems" , and engineering values of "people-centered" , offset the weaknesses of engineering-hardware and engineering-software. Under the background of major change that is rarely seen in a century and the modernization of China’s governance system and capacity, by digging into the decision-making and implementation process of the Project of Huai River Management in that era, the positive functions of engineering-orgware can be examined to clarify which are helpful to accurately grasp the historical mission and significance of engineering construction and development in the New Era.