Addressing the Challenge of Institutional Infrastructure in a Technically Focussed World - Climate Change and Water Governance: Adaptive Capacity in Chile and Switzerland - page 319

Chapter 16
Addressing the Challenge of Institutional
Infrastructure in a Technically Focussed World

Abstract In this concluding chapter of the topic, the key results are recapitulated
and implications of the findings for policy, practice and theory are reflected upon. In
addressing these mounting challenges, focussing on how to transition and transform
to more sustainable water governance and management paradigms, is a crucial piece
of the puzzle that includes technical and hard infrastructural adaptation, but should
not be limited to it. It is high time that the s ocial and institutional infrastructure that
defines the decision making environment for technical and physical infrastructural
adaptation is paid equal attention. Water governance regimes do need to be both
adaptable to amalgamating pressures as climate change develops but also structured
to foster elements of a system that allows for more holistic and sustainable adapta-
tion to take place. However, beyond certain tipping points, there are state changes to
which adaptation and the ability to cope may be virtually impossible. Thus, policies
and institutions focussing on mitigation and adaptation should become better inte-
grated in order to take better advantage of potentially valuable synergies, and ensure
the avoidance of mal-adaptation that might in turn increase climate change drivers.

Keywords Rhône, Canton Valais, Switzerland • Aconcagua, Region V, Chile
• Transformation of water governance • Resilience based climate change adaptation
• Social and institutional infrastructure

16.1 Overview

This topic hopes to have contributed new insights into governance related determi-
nants of adaptive capacity through the empirical investigation of extreme events
across two highly contrasting case areas. The research questions posed, aimed to
identify key components of adaptive capacity that could be empirically observed in
the case areas in response to extreme events; the way in which different governance