Water and city-regionalism : discourse, power and hidden dynamics

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Date
2013
Authors
Nicol, Lorraine A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Economics
Abstract
Region-based solutions present a promising avenue to water management in water stressed regions by providing increased flexibility. But regional solutions require the messy reworking of networks of power among multiple stakeholders, often leading to power struggles. This research examines the power dynamics of a case study involving 18 municipalities in the Calgary region of Canada called the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP). In 2005 these municipalities embarked on a major city-region rescaling initiative involving water sharing and land-use planning. However, by 2009 four rural municipalities had left, bifurcating the partnership along urban and rural lines. Discourse analysis is used as a theoretical frame in which to examine power across multiple jurisdictions and scales. The research demonstrates how participants exercised differing degrees of discursive power and influence in the policymaking process. In exposing hidden dynamics, the research enhances our understanding of rescaling processes to improve regional outcomes and assist in solving broader water management problems.
Description
xi, 283 leaves : maps ; 29 cm
Keywords
Water transfer -- Alberta -- Calgary Region , Water use -- Alberta -- Bow River Basin , Integrated water development -- Alberta -- Calgary Region , Water resources development -- Alberta -- Bow River Basin , Bow River Basin (Alta.) , Apportionment , Resource allocation -- Alberta -- Bow River Basin , Water supply -- Management -- Government policy , Water rights -- Government policy -- Alberta -- Calgary Region , Dissertations, Academic
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