Forms of Participatory Modelling and its Potential for Widespread Adoption in the Water Sector

Abstract

This article serves as a support for those interested in learning more about participatory modelling and its potential for widespread adoption by resource managers. The first part introduces the reader to four basic forms of participatory modelling, identified by classifying nine example participatory modelling processes. The second part considers the potential widespread adoption of participatory modelling by resource managers in the water sector, concluding that this potential is low. It proposes recommendations as to how the potential for the adoption of participatory modelling by water managers can be increased. One of the most important recommendations is that policy-makers should focus on the promotion of forms of participatory modelling that support social learning and the development of conceptual models. These forms of participatory modelling are considered most likely to be adopted, especially if they can be promoted in terms of supporting learning cycles within an Adaptive Water Resources Management approach.This specifies the skills the organizing team need, to carry out different stages of the participatory modelling process:• modelling skills (M),• facilitation skills (F) and • knowledge acquisition skills (KA). 1 A category of model use also identified by Bots and van Daalen (2008).390 M. Hare 2 For more background on the term co-construction see, for example, Etienne et al. (2008a) and Daniell (2008).394 M. Hare

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