Publication

This paper presents approaches to overcoming regional water shortages, especially in the Middle East and Northern Africa. It focuses on the problem areas of how to make better and more sustainable use of groundwater resources, of how competition for water in urbanized societies can be eased by implementing cross-sectoral use concepts, and how it is land-use systems that decide on the water issue in rural societies. The author concludes that it is only structural reforms as well as revised forms of cooperation, including water-users associations, which can ensure the success and effectiveness of concrete, technical measures.