Policy analysis for transformations in water governance

Abstract

This article examines how policy analysis can support transformations in water governance and management, especially under contested situations. Transformations aim to achieve deep and widespread change toward a more sustainable future. In response to pressing water challenges, transformations may be required within water allocation and rights systems, which are practiced in diverse frameworks across the globe. However, processes of transformation can be highly contested due to the varying knowledge, values, interests, and power relations that exist among involved actors. Research on navigating these contested transformations is limited; however, the field of policy analysis has long developed concepts and tools for addressing contested problems. Accordingly, we propose a framework comprising policy analysis activities to support navigating contestations across transformation approaches. We illustrate the usefulness of this framework through a case study of water allocation and rights in Indonesia. This analysis highlights that a diverse range of policy analysis activities have been undertaken across the three different transformation approaches, each of which exhibits contestation. However, policy analysis activities that support community-led transformations appear more limited, suggesting an important area of untapped potential in this and other water transformation contexts.