Concept and Application of Adaptive Water Management

Abstract

This chapter illustrates what is known about the Adaptive Water Management (AWM) approach and how it could potentially be an alternative to the current approaches to water management. It highlights that despite many contributions to the AWM debate in recent years, still there is a lack of clarity surrounding the concept of AWM, and also there is no clear agreement on the measurements for reaching adaptability in AWM. The chapter is intended to take a step forward by developing a conceptual framework (Fig. 3.4) before moving on to the research methodology. The framework is intended to evaluate the extent of adaptability in an urban water management by using main AWM principles of polycentric governance, organisational flexibility and public participation. Accordingly, this chapter is an important component of this book as it helps build a conceptual foundation to investigate the possibility of AWM principle implementation in Greater Tehran through a proposed conceptual framework of AWM.