Oliver Bens – författare

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 thedesired 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.

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 thedesired 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.

Welche Auswirkungen hat der globale Wandel für die regionale Entwicklung? Welche Konsequenzen ergeben sich daraus in gesellschaftlicher, ökonomischer und politischer Hinsicht? Diesen drängenden Fragen geht der vorliegende Band mit Blick auf die Region Berlin-Brandenburg nach. Im Fokus stehen dabei die Verfügbarkeit, die nachhaltige Nutzung und der Schutz der Ressource Wasser. Die Experten der Arbeitsgruppe Globaler Wandel – Regionale Entwicklung der Berlin-Brandenburgischen Akademie der Wissenschaften untersuchen die verschiedenen Dimensionen des globalen Wandels: Die Beiträge befassen sich mit den regionalen Auswirkungen des Klimawandels, mit dem Wandel von Landnutzungen und Aspekten innovativer Agrarwirtschaft sowie mit Auswirkungen des sozial- und raumstrukturellen Wandels auf Infrastrukturen. An die Analyse schließt die Erörterung von Handlungsoptionen und möglichen regionalen Anpassungsstrategien an. Angesprochen sind Akteure und Entscheider in Politik, Verwaltung und Wirtschaft sowie die interessierte Öffentlichkeit. Dabei steht die Region Berlin-Brandenburg im Mittelpunkt der Ausführungen; die Analysen und Empfehlungen sind jedoch auf eine generelle Übertragbarkeit auf vergleichbare Regionen hin angelegt.