Water Use – A Social Sciences Issue
Transdisciplinary Co-operation in Water Research: Issues from the ICAS/IHDP Conferences
Which are the most vital areas of trans-disciplinary water research? In a two-tiered process social and natural scientists have identified the three key areas of institutional reforms, decision-making processes and integrated water management.
In 2001 the Interacademic Commission for Alpine Studies (ICAS) and the Swiss National Committee of the «International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change» (IHDP) held a conference in Lucerne on the socio-economic aspects of water use in alpine regions. Although the essential hydrological facts are known, there is still a serious lack of integrative knowledge about correlations between society and water use.
Based on the results of the public conference in Lucerne, and in co-operation with various other specialists, a follow-up meeting was held in Bern in March 2002, where current issues in trans-disciplinary water research were identified. Focusing on the social aspects of water use, it is intended to complement the Swiss Hydrology Report (2001) by the Swiss Hydrological Society , which repeatedly emphasises the need for hydrology to integrate social and economic issues in order to achieve trans-disciplinary co-operation.
The german and french conference report «Das Wasser der Alpen- Nutzungskonflikte und Lösungsansätze» / «L'eau des Alpes- Comment résoudre les conflits d'utilisation» can be ordered at:
ICAS, Bärenplatz 2, CH-3011 Bern, Fax: +41 31-312 16 78, .
by Thomas Scheurer and Kathrin Pieren