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Hydrosocial territories: a political ecology perspective

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Boelens, Rutgerd, Hoogesteger, Jaime, Swyngedouw, Erik, Vos, Jeroen, Wester, Philippus·2016·Water International
DOI 10.1080/02508060.2016.1134898
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Abstract

We define and explore hydrosocial territories as spatial configurations of people, institutions, water flows, hydraulic technology and the biophysical environment that revolve around the control of water. Territorial politics finds expression in encounters of diverse actors with divergent spatial and political-geographical interests. Their territory-building projections and strategies compete, superimpose and align to strengthen specific water-control claims. Thereby, actors continuously recompose the territory’s hydraulic grid, cultural reference frames, and political-economic relationships. Using a political ecology focus, we argue that territorial struggles go beyond battles over natural resources as they involve struggles over meaning, norms, knowledge, identity, authority and discourses.

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Cited by

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Authors
Boelens, R., Hoogesteger, J., Swyngedouw, E., Vos, J., & Wester, P.
Affiliations
  • University of Amsterdam (NL)
  • Wageningen University & Research (NL)
  • University of Manchester (GB)
  • International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (NP)
Corresponding author
Boelens, Rutgerd
ORCID
Venue
Water International
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2016-01-02
Volume
41
Issue
1
Pages
1-14
ISSN
  • 0250-8060 (ISSN-L)
  • 1941-1707
DOI
10.1080/02508060.2016.1134898
OpenAlex
W2263101670
Cited by
810
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 142 · 2025: 92 · 2024: 91 · 2023: 87 · 2022: 106 · 2021: 73 · 2020: 62 · 2019: 67 · 2018: 52 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 1
FWCI
263.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Water International (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Water Governance and Infrastructure
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Water Resource Management and Quality
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Social Sciences and Humanities
Keywords
hydrosocial territories, territorial politics, water control, territorial struggles, political ecology, hydraulic technology, water flow, water governance

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