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MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development

global challenges, engineering solutions
 

Local Capacity Building for Water Management in Socotra Island,Yemen
Water Governance Framework for Underdeveloped Areas

Lack of access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation is a global crisis that
is mainly a crisis of governance. Developing countries like Yemen is facing major
challenges to establish a sustainable and resilient water governance framework and
implement it. The targeted area of the dissertation is the UNESCO World Heritage
site Socotra Archipelago.

This research investigates suitable technical and governance approaches to resolve the
water challenges in Socotra and similar cities. In doing so, it uncovers that only
technical solutions can’t improve the water and sanitation system. Instead, a multidisciplinary
integrated capacity-building approach to strengthen the local players is
needed, incorporating people from different sectors at all level.

The research recommends a framework integrating multi-level planning processes
across sectors at all level; encouraging combining the top down approach currently
used in the island with a bottom-up approaches to guarantee the sustainable
accomplishment of the framework goals.

Course Overview

Context

The need to engage in better problem definition through careful dialogue with all stakeholder groups and a proper recognition of context.

Perspectives

An ability to work with specialists from other disciplines and professional groups acknowledging that technical innovation and business skills also must be understood, nurtured and combined as precursors to the successful implementation of sustainable solutions.

Change

An understanding of mechanisms for managing change in organisations so future engineers are equipped to play a leadership role.

Tools

An awareness of a range of assessment frameworks, sustainability metrics and methodologies such as Life Cycle Analysis, Systems Dynamics, Multi-Criteria Decision making and Impact Assessment.