Urban River Basin Enhancement Methods - Implementation and review of the new assessment tool - Work package 6

Brilly, M. (2004) Urban River Basin Enhancement Methods - Implementation and review of the new assessment tool - Work package 6. Project Report. University of Ljubljana.

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Abstract

Urbanisation and river regulations go back to ancient times, they gradually developed in the 19th century and intensified not earlier than in the second half of the 20th century with irrigation, water power development and river regulations for urbanisation of inundated land. Regulation and deterioration of rivers has a long history. The process was lead by specific, economically defined interests and simple decision-making schemes. River restoration means taking broad actions, which differentiate in scale, size, timing etc. The implementation depends on different sources and several decision-makers who take on different interests, which should all be coordinated in a common task. Such a complex process with numerous actors has to include social analysis and tentative actions. Guidelines and manuals have been developed for river restoration and environmental protection (UNEP,2004, US, 1998, EU 2002). Good sources of guides and ideas for implementation should correspond to the own specific natural situation and social conditions. Examples of good practice could provide encouragement but they cannot simply be transferred or copied elsewhere without a critical review of actions. Action-taking should be tailored to the local conditions. Water management policy proceeds from development to management. The importance of environmental sustainability has been recognized overall. The decision making should integrate more interests, calls for a greater decentralization, more participation and greater financial viability. A new paradigm of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been developed in the guidelines of WFD and worldwide. The IWRM is complex, requiring an almost idealistic approach (Brilly 2001). Today, there are no economically well-defined interests and simple decision making schemes involving few stakeholders. The results should provide an environmental benefit that is very difficult to evaluate financially.

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