18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

The Stuggle for Local Autonomy

David BarkinUniversidad Autónoma Metropolitana

Xochimilcobarkin@cueyatl.uam.mx

Sources: Wealth, Poverty and Sustainable DevelopmentInnovaciones Mexicanas en el Manejo del Agua

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Fighting Poverty: Fighting Poverty: Ignoring Local Ignoring Local EpistemologiesEpistemologies

Blaming victims vs. Mobilizing capacities

Welfare orientation (Charity vs. Self-help)

Education (Formal schooling vs. Learning as a process)

Innovation (Technology vs. Post-normal science)

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Alternative Alternative StatrategiesStatrategies

for Local Developmentfor Local Development

Fundamental Principles :Autonomy

Self-sufficiencyProductive DiversificationEcosystem Management

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

The War Economy

Societies Respond to Improve their own conditons

• Improving social and physical infrastructure water; sewage; literacy; etc.

• Reconquer food self-sufficiency• Social tourism• Rehabilitate green zones and protected areas• Promote popular development

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Society Responds

• Forging local strategies

• Constructing new models for coexistence in the face of pressures created by globalization; they are not simply holdovers from the past

• Reversing the threats from globalization to “the wretched of the earth”

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

The CHALLENGE

STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES• Economics

• Political and institutional management

STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT• Prevent degradation

• Rehabilitate ecosystems

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Case Study (1)Case Study (1) Ecotourism: Monarch Butterfly

To control a community, disdaining its ability to protect the forest

Reduces rain water harvesting and threatenes a watershed

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Case Study (2)Case Study (2)Huatulco, Oaxaca

Mega-project for beach toursim

(proposed 25 luxury hotels)

Result:

Endangering an Acquifer

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Case Study (2)Case Study (2)Huatulco

Response from 70.000 people living in surrounding mountains (700.000 has.)

Integrates SilvicultureConservation and Production

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Conservation

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Reforestation

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

D

R

I

P

IRRIGATION

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Productive Silviculture

Waste wood from pruning

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Fair Trade

(http://www.artinoaxaca.addr.com)

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Case Study (3)Case Study (3) Water Forever– Mixteca,Oaxaca

Reinvent a regional system of water management cooperation among isolated communities

(1,500.000 has. – 150.000 indig. people)

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

PRESAS DE GAVIONESY MAMPOSTERIA"EL TERRERO"

BARRANCA "PIRULES"

100 0 100 200 300 400 MetersELABORÓ:

ALTERNATIVAS Y PROCESOS DEPARTICIPACION SOCIAL A.C.alterinfo@laneta.apc.org

ORTOFOTO AEREA PARAJ E "EL TERRERO"

PROYECCION TRANSVERSA DE MERCATORUTM 1983 ZONA 14 GSR80ESCALA 1:5,000

CORRIENTE SECUNDARIA

CAMINO SECUNDARIO

SIMBOLOGIA

ESCURRIMIENTO MENOR

643600

643600

643800

643800

644000

644000

644200

644200

644400

644400

644600

644600

20

11

20

0

20

11

20

0

20

11

40

0

20

11

40

0

20

11

60

0

20

11

60

0

20

11

80

0

20

11

80

0

20

12

00

0

20

12

00

0

PARAJE “EL TERRERO”

REPRESA DE REPRESA DE CAPTACIÓNCAPTACIÓN

PRESAS PRESAS FILTRANTESFILTRANTES

REFORESTACIÓN Y REFORESTACIÓN Y BORDEO CON BORDEO CON

VEGETACIÓN ÚTIL VEGETACIÓN ÚTIL PARA CONSERVACIÓN PARA CONSERVACIÓN

DE SUELOSDE SUELOS

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Case Study (4)Case Study (4)Water Treatment Plants

Create incentives for treating waste water: Environmental management Commercial activities Generate employment Consolidate community organizations

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Wastewater Treatment Plants

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Case Study (5)Case Study (5) Tradicional Innovation

Generate new products: Price premiums (organic and green products;

pork ‘lite’; Omega-3 eggs) Reduce contamination and recharge acquifers Strengthen community and the role of women Strengthen cultural identities

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

INNOVATING TRADITION

Point of departure:

“Discover” local knowledge: avocados reduce cholesterol in mammels

Response:

Develop a diet for hogs to rescue traditional backyard farming systems

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

OTHER WORLDS ARE OTHER WORLDS ARE POSSIBLEPOSSIBLE

SAY NONO TO “TINA”“There is no Alternative”

(Margaret Thatcher – World Bank)

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

Unpaid

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¡Available here!

18 March 2004 Bridging Scales and Epistemologies

The Stuggle for Local Autonomy

¡Muchas Gracias!

David Barkinbarkin@cueyatl.uam.mx