IRRIGATION, SOCIETY AND LANDSCAPE
Traditional irrigation systems are one of the most valuable interactions between culture and nature. Historically, these systems have played a major role in the evolution of numerous villages and cities in arid and semiarid environments. These spaces still present in many cases a high productive capacity, together with additional social and cultural values. Moreover, these ecosystems have become an extraordinary example of a long-term sustainable management, in social and environmental terms.
Experts of very different disciplines have studied these systems. The Conference Irrigation, Society and Landscape aspires to bring together all those researchers and professionals interested in traditional irrigation, in order to discuss and reflect on the past, present and future of these natural and cultural systems.
The Conference will deal with the analysis of the historical evolution of irrigation, considering technological, agronomic, social and institutional aspects. The present and potential values of irrigation systems as cultural landscapes will be also considered. In addition, the Conference will contribute to the analysis of the challenging processes of urbanization and modernization, and the strategies oriented to strengthen the socioeconomic viability and the preservation of these systems.
The Conference pays homage to Thomas F. Glick, whose research has been an essential contribution to the study of traditional irrigation systems and has encouraged water heritage acknowledgement and protection.
The Conference will be held in the Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain) in September 25th-27th 2014.
