Measure, model, optimise: Understanding reductionist concepts of value in freshwater governance

摘要: Abstract Approaches to freshwater governance frequently focus on the identification, elicitation and measurement of diverse competing stakeholder ‘values‘ relating water resources. The categorisation ‘values’ has politics – it defines stakeholders involved, legitimises particular ‘ways knowing’ empowers certain developmental trajectories over others. This paper examines emergence a reductionist knowledge-governance methodology in New Zealand, situates across its epistemic, institutional political trajectories. River Values Assessment System (RiVAS) was conceived as scalar tool help local authorities assess rank rivers according their ability provide for given ‘value’ such swimming, birdlife or irrigation. Its structural foundations emerged from (1) rise conservation science methodologies which attempt create commensurate values bodies, (2) transfer these realm social river systems, (3) regional authorities’ need an ‘objective’ metric defend allocation decisions decentralising regulatory environment. A framework value carries implications governance, including issues around representation (whose matter?), risks excluding emergent concepts place both biophysical sociocultural dimensions. To engage with emerging logics geographers understand underlying epistemological, underpinnings, well management challenges facing agencies. Through understanding multiple practices that shape knowledge trajectories, we can begin think about how practise differently.