The rationality of water-energy-food nexus: uncertainties in urban governance

• Grant number: 18/12155-2
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): February 04, 2019
• Effective date (End): May 03, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal researcher: Leandro Luiz Giatti
• Grantee: Alberto Matenhauer Urbinatti
• Supervisor abroad: Andrew Charles Stirling
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Research place: University of Sussex (US), England
• Associated to the scholarship: 16/25375-5 - Resilience and sustainability nexus in metropolitan contexts: intersectoral synergies from public policies, BP.DR

Abstract

The rationality of the water, energy and food nexus encompasses an articulation of values, conflicting most of the time, which happens in specifics spaces and temporalities, and bring uncertainties. This BEPE project aims to discuss how this rationality can be feasible in urban governance in Brazilian metropolitan contexts, considering challenges and opportunities related to mutual understanding, different scales and decisions historically based on specializations. Regarding the methodology, we intend to discuss from the 'uncertainty matrix', proposed by Professor Andy Stirling, aspects of risk, uncertainty, ambiguity and ignorance in 'nexus governance'. We will try to understand how this methodology can contribute to the case studies that I have worked here in Brazil. After all, we intend to encourage new paths of study for nexus-related issues. This BEPE project will be important to improve the theoretical and methodological basis of my ongoing doctoral research Resilience and sustainability nexus in metropolitan contexts: intersectoral synergies from public policies (Process 2016/25375-5). This research is part of the project Resilience and vulnerability at the urban Nexus of food, water, energy and the environment (ResNexus) (Process 2015/50132-6), an international cooperation that involves Brazil - University of São Paulo (funding: FAPESP), Netherlands - Wageningen University - (funding: NWO) and United Kingdom - University of Sussex (funding: ESRC).