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Urban Water Crises under Future Uncertainties: The Case of Institutional and Infrastructure Complexity in Khon Kaen, Thailand

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  • Richard Friend

    (Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK)

  • Pakamas Thinphanga

    (Thailand Environment Institute, 16/151 Muang Thong Thani, Bond Street, Bangpood, Pakkret, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand)

Abstract

This paper uses the emerging crises in water management in North East Thailand as a case study to examine the effectiveness of existing institutional structures and processes to adapt to an uncertain future climate. We argue that it is through an analysis of the interface of actors, institutions and physical infrastructure that climate vulnerability can be better understood, and conversely, that climate resilience might be strengthened. This research has global significance as case studies of emerging water crises provide valuable insights into future vulnerabilities and the Thailand experience speaks to similar challenges across the global South. Our findings illustrate that water managers on the front line of dealing with climate variability are constrained by the interaction of infrastructure that was designed for different times and needs, and of institutional structures and processes that have emerged through the interplay of often competing organisational remits and agendas. Water management is further constrained by the ways in which information and knowledge are generated, shared, and then applied. Critically the research finds that there is no explicit consideration of climate change, but rather universally-held assumptions that patterns of water availability will continue as they have in the past. As a result, there is no long-term planning that could be termed adaptive, but rather, a responsive approach that moves from crisis to crisis between seasons and across years.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Friend & Pakamas Thinphanga, 2018. "Urban Water Crises under Future Uncertainties: The Case of Institutional and Infrastructure Complexity in Khon Kaen, Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-21, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:11:p:3921-:d:178837
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    Cited by:

    1. Joanna M. McMillan & Joern Birkmann & Siwaporn Tangwanichagapong & Ali Jamshed, 2022. "Spatial Planning and Systems Thinking Tools for Climate Risk Reduction: A Case Study of the Andaman Coast, Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Darryn McEvoy, 2019. "Climate Resilient Urban Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-4, January.
    3. Valérie Nicollier & Marcos Eduardo Cordeiro Bernardes & Asher Kiperstok, 2022. "What Governance Failures Reveal about Water Resources Management in a Municipality of Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-30, February.
    4. Orn-uma Polpanich & Dhyey Bhatpuria & Tania Fernanda Santos Santos & Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa, 2022. "Leveraging Multi-Source Data and Digital Technology to Support the Monitoring of Localized Water Changes in the Mekong Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-20, February.

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