140370 SE VM2 / VM6 - Water and irrigation in international development (engl.) (2015W)

The allocation of water as a scarce resource is a fundamental problem in human development. Different from the industrialized world developing countries very often lack effective political, economic and social institutions to regulate water and avoid conflicts. Owing to their geographic localtion among others, developing countries are also more vulnerable to the effects of climate change which has put futher strains on scarce water resources.The course discusses problems, solutions and challenges of water and irrigation in the development world. Our discussion will be guided by new institutional economics which stresses the importance of economic, social, political and cultural factors. The course is divided along three questions or themes

1. Water and irrigation in rural communities. We compare various allocation systems (market, regulation, collective action). There will be one simulation session of the Tragedy of Commons, where we try to apply Ostrom's thinking in practice. Also this session is usually highly interactive
2. How can water allocation work in urban areas? The role of utilities, their maintenance and effeciency of urban water systems
3. What has been the impact of development aid (e.g. MDG 7) on national and on community level? There will be one visit from the Red Cross Water Department. This is usually a highly informative and interactive part.