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Territorial Water Cooperation in the Central Plateau of Iran

  • Explains how water can appear as a ground for cooperation rather than the matter of war
  • Clarifies the role of the socio-economic structures in preventing any conflict and tension over the shared water resources among the local communities in the central plateau of Iran
  • Gives insight into the indigenous adaptation strategies through the territorial water cooperation
  • Indicates how modernity can unbalance the relationship between the local communities and their shared water resources, contributing to the on-going water crisis

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Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
  2. Introduction

    • Majid Labbaf Khaneiki
    Pages 1-23
  3. Water Supply Systems in Central Iran

    • Majid Labbaf Khaneiki
    Pages 25-63
  4. Social Aspects of Water in Central Iran

    • Majid Labbaf Khaneiki
    Pages 65-94
  5. Cain and Abel in the Heaven of Water Cooperation

    • Majid Labbaf Khaneiki
    Pages 95-131
  6. Cooperation in Lieu of Water

    • Majid Labbaf Khaneiki
    Pages 133-177
  7. Conclusion

    • Majid Labbaf Khaneiki
    Pages 179-193
  8. Back Matter

    Pages 195-199

About this book

This book tries to answer the question how different communities in such an arid area as the Iranian central plateau could have shared their limited water resources in a perfect harmony and peace over the course of history. They invented some indigenous technologies as well as cooperative socio-economic systems in order to better adapt themselves to their harsh environment where the scarce water resources had to be rationed among the different communities as sustainably as possible. Those stories hold some lessons for us on how to adjust our needs to our geographical possibilities while living side by side with other people.    

This work gives insight into the indigenous adaptation strategies through the territorial water cooperation, and describes how water can appear as a ground for cooperation. It explains the water supply systems and social aspects of water in central Iran. Topics include the territorial water cooperation, qanat’s, the traditional water management and sustainability, the socio-economic context, the sustainable management of shared aquifers system and more.


Authors and Affiliations

  • Hydraulic Structures, UNESCO Category II, International Center on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Structures, UNESCO Category II, Yazd, Iran

    Majid Labbaf Khaneiki

About the author

Majid Labbaf Khaneiki, UNESCO-ICQHS (International Center on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Structures), Yazd, Iran 

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access