Society, Water, Technology ― A Critical Appraisal of Major Water Engineering Projects

This book presents the results of the Interdisciplinary Research Group "Society – Water – Technology" of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. It describes interdisciplinary evaluation criteria for major water engineering projects (MWEPs) and portrays an application to the Lower Jordan Valley (Middle East) and the Fergana Valley (Central Asia). Both areas are characterised by transboundary conflicts, by challenges due to demographic and climate change and by political and societal pressures. Based on the findings, the book provides recommendations for science and political decisions makers as well as for international financing institutions. In addition, it outlines research gaps from an interdisciplinary perspective.

In the past, MWEPs have been used as an instrument to cope with the demands of growing populations and to enhance development progress. Experiences with MWEPs have shown that a purely technical approach has not always brought about the desired results. In many cases, MWEPs have even resulted in negative implications for society and environment. Therefore, improved management strategies and enhanced technologies for a sustainable water resource management system are a prerequisite to meet present and future challenges. And, moreover, the continuous evaluation and optimisation of these measures is, likewise, a must.

Reinhard F. Huttl
Reinhard F. Huttl is chairman of the board and scientific executive director of the German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam (GFZ). He is member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW) and president of the German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech). He is a professor of the Soil Protection and Recultivation Department at the Brandenburg Technical University in Cottbus (BTU) and spokesperson of the Interdisciplinary Research Group “Society – Water – Technology” at the BBAW. Huttl, R. F., Schwartze, S. (2013): Editorial: Zentralasien; ein Reallabor und Observatorium fur die Geowissenschaften. System Erde, 3(2), p. 5–5.
Grunewald, U., Bens, O., Fischer, H., Huttl, R. F. J., Kaiser, K., Knierim, A. (Eds.) (2012): Wasserbezogene Anpassungsmasnahmen an den Landschafts- und Klimawandel, Stuttgart: Schweizerbart, 299.
Huttl, R. F., Bens, O. (Eds.) (2012): Georessource Wasser – Herausforderung Globaler Wandel: Beitrage zu einer integrierten Wasserressourcenbewirtschaftung in Deutschland, acatech Studie, Munchen.
Frede, H.-G., Bucker, A., Huttl, R. F. et al. (2012): Wassernutzung und Wassereffizienz in Landschaften. In: Huttl, R. F., Bens, O. (Eds.): Georessource Wasser – Herausforderung Globaler Wandel: Beitrage zu einer integrierten Wasserressourcenbewirtschaftung in Deutschland, acatech Studie, Munchen, p. 91–157.
Germer, S., Bens, O., Huttl, R. F. (2011): Global Change: Challenges for Regional Water Resources, Editorial. Die Erde, 142(1-2).
Huttl, R. F, Emmermann, R., Germer, S., Naumann, M., Bens, O. (Eds.) (2011): Globaler Wandel und regionale Entwicklung. Anpassungsstrategien in der Region Berlin-Brandenburg, Heidelberg: Springer.

Oliver Bens
Oliver Bens is head of staff of the scientific executive board of the German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam (GFZ). As a geoscientist, he is responsible for the research field earth and environment and in charge of media and communication at GFZ. He is a member of the Brandenburg Council for Sustainable Development.
Hoechstetter, S., Bens, O., Bismuth, C. (2013): Konflikte um die Georessource Wasser in Zentralasien: Analyse und Neuausrichtung von Entwicklungspfaden im Ferganatal. System Erde, 3(2) p. 50–55.
Grunewald, U., Bens, O., Fischer, H., Huttl, R. F. J., Kaiser, K., Knierim, A. (Eds.) (2012): Wasserbezogene Anpassungsmasnahmen an den Landschafts- und Klimawandel, Stuttgart: Schweizbart.
Huttl, R. F., Bens, O. (Eds. ) (2012): Georessource Wasser – Herausforderung Globaler Wandel: Beitrage zu einer integrierten Wasserressourcenbewirtschaftung in Deutschland, acatech Studie, Munchen.
Frede, H.-G., Bucker, A., Bens, O. et al. (2012): Wassernutzung und Wassereffizienz in Landschaften . In: Huttl, R. F., Bens, O. (Eds.): Georessource Wasser – Herausforderung Globaler Wandel: Beitrage zu einer integrierten Wasserressourcenbewirtschaftung in Deutschland, acatech Studie, Munchen, p. 91–157.
Germer, S., Bens, O. & Huttl, R. F. (2011): Global Change : Challenges for Regional Water Resources, Editorial. Die Erde, 142(1-2).
Huttl, R. F, Emmermann, R., Germer, S., Naumann, M., Bens, O. (Eds.) (2011): Globaler Wandel und regionale Entwicklung. Anpassungsstrategien in der Region Berlin-Brandenburg, Heidelberg: Springer.

Sebastian Hoechstetter
Sebastian Hoechstetter is a research consultant and a research associate at the German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam (GFZ). With a geoecological background his research interests include landscape ecology, climate adaptation, urban ecology and water research. He is a research associate in the Interdisciplinary Research Group “Society – Water – Technology” at the BBAW.
Hoechstetter, S., Bens, O., Bismuth, C. (2013): Konflikte um die Georessource Wasser in Zentralasien: Analyse und Neuausrichtung von Entwicklungspfaden im Ferganatal. System Erde, 3(2), p. 50–55.
Hoechstetter, S. (2009): Enhanced methods for