This document discusses the role of solution-oriented research in developing and implementing transformational solutions for water sustainability. It argues that water systems are complex and designing effective solutions requires enhanced research capacities, as professional experience alone is not always sufficient and solutions can fail or have unintended consequences. Solution-oriented research produces evidence on best practices, sustainable water supplies, effective conservation measures, fair water distribution, and more. It outlines a framework involving problem analysis, strategy design and testing with monitoring and evaluation, and goal visioning to develop solutions. The document provides examples of how to test, select, coordinate, reach agreement on, evaluate, and teach solutions. It discusses the Decision Center for a Desert City's past and future agenda on solution-oriented
1. The Role of Research in
Developing and Implementing
Transformational Solutions for
Water Sustainability
Arnim Wiek, Lauren Withycombe Keeler, Dave White
Decision Center for a Desert City
Arizona State University
Workshop on “Transformational Solutions for Water in the West”
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico
September 5, 2013
2. Failing Solutions
“A current policy subsidizes farmers to invest in
improved on-farm irrigation efficiency, expecting water
to be conserved off farm. Contrary to expectation, water
has been increasingly depleted in some regions after
such improvements.”
Huffaker, R. (2008). Conservation potential of agricultural water conservation
subsidies, Water Resources Research, 44, W00E01.
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3. Why solution-oriented research?
Water systems are complex
Designing solutions for complex systems requires
enhanced capacities
Professional experience is not always sufficient
Solutions can fail
Solutions can create unintended consequences
Solutions can be less efficient than possible
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4. What is solution-oriented research?
Produces evidence on
“Good / best management practices”
“Sustainable water supply”
“Effective conservation measures”
“Fair water distribution”
“Public support”
Etc.
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5. What are we talking about
I
III
II
Problem
Analysis
Strategy
Design & Testing
Monitoring & Evaluation
Goal
Visioning
What is the
problem?
How do we get
from here to there?
What is the
goal?
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6. How to design solutions
DPR Project, Texas
Cloudcroft, New Mexico
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7. How to test solutions?
What problem does the solution address?
What is the goal?
1. What is the intervention point?
2. What are the actions and actors?
3. What is the evidence that the solution works?
4. What are barriers and coping strategies?
5. What are unintended consequences?
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15. Customized Databases
Problem – Water scarcity
Goal – Satisfying all water needs/wants
Alternative sourcing
Participatory water budgeting (distribution)
Demand side management
Direct potable reuse
…
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16. Outlook for DCDC
DCDC’s past work: advanced knowledge on
water challenges under climate change
uncertainties in collaboration between
researchers and policy makers
DCDC’s future agenda includes: solutionoriented research on water supply and demand
management strategies as well as integrated
planning processes
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17. Contact
Dr. Arnim Wiek
Decision Center for a Desert City &
School of Sustainability
Arizona State University
E-mail: arnim.wiek@asu.edu
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