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The Future of Large Dams |
Dealing with Social, Environmental, Institutional and Political Costs:
The author is the undisputed world leader in this subject. The treatment is authoritative and magisterial" --Robert Goodland
The definitive work on large dams--the world’s single most controversial, divisive and expensive development issue--essential reading. Unmatched coverage of all aspects of large dams and development including economics, politics, environmental risk, energy, agriculture, and human displacement and resettlement.
Viewed by some as symbols of progress and a necessary evil and by others as inherently flawed and destructive of ecosystems and societies, large dams remain the most contentious development issue on earth. Building on the work of the now defunct World Commission on Dams, Thayer Scudder, the world’s leading authority on large dams, weighs in on the debate with unprecedented authority.
Armed with a vast array of case studies and statistical data from Asia, including China and India, North America, Africa, and Latin America, Scudder charts the "middle way" forward by examining all aspects of the costs, benefits, and risks to ecosystems, societies and economies of large dam development projects. Employing the World Commission on Dams’ Seven Strategic Priorities, Scudder analyzes the structure of the decision-making process for water resource and energy development and the planning, implementation, and governance of assets when a large dam is selected as the best development option. He also assesses state-of-the-art procedures for addressing environmental, institutional, political, and social issues and tackles the highly contentious issue of dam-induced resettlement, illuminated by a statistical analysis of 50 cases.
Thayer Scudder is Anthropology Professor Emeritus at the California Institute of Technology and former Commissioner of the World Commission on Dams.
Contents:
The Large Dams Dispute and the Future of Large Dams; Theories on the Resettlement Process; A Comparative Survey of 50 Cases of Dam-Induced Resettlement; How River Basin Communities Can Benefit from Resettlement; Sri Lanka’s Mahaweli Development Project; Further Case Studies; Addressing Downstream and Upper Catchments: Environmental and Social Impacts; Institutional Arrangements; The Future of Large Dams and the Way Forward; Bibliography; Index.
"Scudder?writes with great authority, having been one of the 12 commissioners of the World Commission on Dams. This role has given him a remarkable insight into the global politics of large dams and their consequences. His position on large dams has changed from strong support to anger and despair over the poor treatment of people who live near dams. He now believes that most of the really large dams impose unacceptable environmental and social costs?.The book's personal tone makes it enjoyable to read, but this is also a scholarly book that has numerous footnotes and references. The story that Scudder tells is rather depressing, but he does try to find a way forwards. In the final chapter, he lists seven sets of recommendations on how to make decisions about the possible construction of large dams in the future?.the book is a valuable reminder of the dangers of destroying sustainable rural societies largely to support unsustainable cities or large industries. Hopefully Scudder's book will help to lessen the damage caused by the building and maintenance of large dams."
-- Nature
"This classic work by a world authority reflects 50 years of research and thinking about large dams worldwide. No one concerned with the human costs of development can afford not to read this book."
-- Resettlement News
"[N]o one has a more comprehensive grasp of the resettlement ethnography than Scudder?Scudder's new book offers more than the definitive empirical overview and intellectual syntheis of the record on large dams, and of their impacts, development potential and policy implications. He has certainly given us that in his work of great scope, depth and detial, as no one else could. He has also opened himself and given us an account of his journey over the last fifty years, showing us how his views have shifted over time in response to the evidence, where he stands on issues, how he has interacted with key people and at critical moments in the development of the dams debate?The Future of Large Dams is the state of the art on the human implication of larger dams. It is also a testimony to a remarkable life committed to the understanding and upliftment of those who have been affected by the construction of dams. It is the unique waqy in which Scudder is able to sustain--and reconcile--detachment and optimism in relation to those human implications, that sets him apart."
-- Natural Resources Forum
"This thorough analysis of the social impacts of large dams in developing countries serves as an extension of the World Commission on Dams' report (Dams and Development, Earthscan, 2000)?.This most recent publication was written primarily for policymakers responsible for global water and energy planning, but it is also a rich source for researchers?.While criticizing past and current practices for the planning and evaluation of dams, Scudder has practical recommendations centering on adherence to the World Commission on Dams' 'seven strategic priorities,' which include gaining broad public acceptance, considering an extensive range of alternatives, and sharing benefits from dam operations in equitable ways."
-- Environment
"This thorough analysis of the social impacts of large dams in developing countries serves as an extension of the report of the World Commission on Dams (WCD). Scudder was on of the 12 WCD commissioners, but brought to that study and to his new book the insights of 50 years of observation, analysis, and advising in this field. The book was written primarily for policy makers responsible for global water and energy planning but is also a rich source for researchers."
-- Journal of the American Water Resources Association
Published by Earthscan Publications Ltd.
Thayer Scudder
April 2006
408 pp., 6" x 9 1/4"
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| Item # |
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| VE12371 |
The Future of Large Dams |
$44.00 |
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The Future of Large Dams
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