Institutionalizing the Sustainable Development Approach: Co-ordination across Traditional Boundaries

• Published in: International journal of water resources development 2001-12, Vol.17 (4), p.511-520
• Main Author: Uenver, IHO
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Turkey
• ISSN: 0790-0627; 1360-0648
• DOI: 10.1080/07900620120094064

Water-based development is a catalyst for economic, social and environmental changes. Currently, this development is framed in the discourse of sustainability, based on such concepts as participation, gender equity and the containment of environmental and social impacts. Policies concerning these changes are implemented via state institutions, often in tandem with private institutions, both commercial (banks and businesses) and non-profit (universities and non-governmental organizations). The success of sustainable integrated development depends on the ability of these institutions to incorporate the concepts of sustainability, to adapt to changing environments and to optimize co-operation with other institutions. However, these institutions may vary greatly in their interpretation of the sustainability discourse, as well as in their capacity to implement those concepts consistently. This paper presents some of the current issues related to the need for capacity building and multisectoral co-ordination in order to ensure ongoing sustainable development (SD) where most, if not all, actors have a critical understanding of development discourse and are able to apply the concepts of sustainability in their normal operations. These issues are then discussed in the context of the experience of the South-eastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration in introducing SD to south-eastern Turkey.