Whose rules? Whose land? Whose water?

Abstract

With the explosive growing population in Chengdu, the demand for urban drinking water is increasing, and the application of water conservation regulations is becoming more and more stringent. However, with the delineation of water source protection zones, villages and small counties in the upper reaches of Chengdu have been affected a lot.
The upstream of Chengdu, which is part of the Dujiangyan irrigation area, is the typical western Sichuan style village with its vernacular wisdom of living with water. But now they are expected to leave and move into a collective community with fixed reimbursement due to the water source protection policy. Local small industries and livestock raising are no longer allowed, and agricultural production is also restricted due to the risk of water pollution. A similar development limitation has a great impact on small counties as well. Besides the economic loss, the authentic lifestyle that carries water culture has also suffered the loss. Metropolis gains priority on water and the indigenous people are sacrificed. And this water injustice issue is even exacerbated when the new modernized neighborhood came since the informal development is intolerant by the government.
Therefore, this research will explain the conceptualization of water justice and the key elements in this specific local urbanization context. Through the analysis of the impact by water extraction infrastructure, the tangible water value, the virtual value of water, and the cultural preservation, measuring the expulsion of this water project and the livelihood of the locals. Then clarifying the multiple-layer influence of the water conservation interventions in this irrigation area and emphasizing the importance of water justice especially for the indigenous people with the social survey, literature review, and comparison of other villages. And scenario testing of different possible new development in the perspective of different priorities to find a balanced solution for both sides.
This research is aiming to engage flexible water conservation policies with the methods of tax reimbursement and local empowerment, explore a win-win way of both the water use cities and water source districts. And for this specific case, find out a sustainable development way with a comprehensive consideration for vulnerable groups which allows them to keep their positive way of living while doing the water conservancy.