World World WaterWater ForumForum

DraDra Laura Collin HarguindeguyLaura Collin HarguindeguyEl Colegio de Tlaxcala A.C.El Colegio de Tlaxcala A.C.

MMééxico, marzo 2005xico, marzo 2005

VulnerabilityVulnerability

Vulnerability, as some kind of lack that puts a group of people Vulnerability, as some kind of lack that puts a group of people in a in a situation of disadvantage or risk, is a social situation of disadvantage or risk, is a social buildedbuilded concept, not concept, not only as all concepts in theory, but also in fact.only as all concepts in theory, but also in fact.

Vulnerability construction responds to diverse causes:Vulnerability construction responds to diverse causes:

–– Development model (Development model (CalvaCalva, 2001; Dabat,1994 Stiglitz,1996), 2001; Dabat,1994 Stiglitz,1996)–– Exclusion and Exclusion and marginationmargination of sectors of society (of sectors of society (CastelCastel 2001, 2001, SenSen, 1989; Singer, , 1989; Singer,

1998, Forester, 1997)1998, Forester, 1997)–– Position of control and domination over nature (Position of control and domination over nature (PeningsPenings, 1991), 1991)–– Type of energy and technology (Davies, 2004, Type of energy and technology (Davies, 2004, UrqidiUrqidi, 2001, , 2001, GraizbergGraizberg, 2004; , 2004;

PerringsPerrings, 1991), 1991)–– Enterprise investment Interest (Enterprise investment Interest (AglietaAglieta, 2000, Sullivan, 2004) ), 2000, Sullivan, 2004) )

All these causes refer to groups, classes, and interests that All these causes refer to groups, classes, and interests that decides public politicsdecides public politics

Cultural Cultural ProblemProblem

Development model is also a Development model is also a civilization modelcivilization model, that builds , that builds consensus, and becomes consensus, and becomes cultureculture: the way in which thinks : the way in which thinks are done (are done (GoodenoughGoodenough, 1971, De , 1971, De CertauCertau, 1996), and also in , 1996), and also in habitushabitus ((BordieuBordieu, 1995) , 1995)

Ways of livingWays of living working against people without its working against people without its consciousnessconsciousness

•• Fetishist of money (Fetishist of money (LopezlleraLopezllera, 2001 Greco, 1989 , 2001 Greco, 1989 LietaerLietaer, 2001), 2001)•• Consume system (Consume system (SahllinsSahllins))•• Abandon of self consumption activities (Shiva, 2005, Abandon of self consumption activities (Shiva, 2005, StrenStren, 2001, 2001•• Comfort as less effort (Comfort as less effort (BaudrillardBaudrillard, 1969; , 1969; FoucauldFoucauld, 1970 , 1970 SarloSarlo, 1998), 1998)•• Garbage as trash (Garbage as trash (MenaMena, 1985), 1985)

•• ProblemProblem concernsconcerns toto everyoneeveryone

Xochimilco:Xochimilco: natural and cultural patrimony of natural and cultural patrimony of humanity is in a serious risk of extinction.humanity is in a serious risk of extinction.

•• Located in the south of Mexico city, and almost the only remainiLocated in the south of Mexico city, and almost the only remaining ng part of the great lake of Mexico.part of the great lake of Mexico.

•• The lake begins at the bottom of the The lake begins at the bottom of the chichinautzinchichinautzin sierra that sierra that divides the state of Morelos from the valley of Mexico, and it idivides the state of Morelos from the valley of Mexico, and it is an s an important area of aquifers recharge.important area of aquifers recharge.

•• Since the XI century it was used for agricultural production in Since the XI century it was used for agricultural production in a a unique system of floating islands.unique system of floating islands.

•• The The XochimilcasXochimilcas an indigenous pueblo, were in Mexico valley long an indigenous pueblo, were in Mexico valley long after the arrival of Mexicans and they are probably the remaindeafter the arrival of Mexicans and they are probably the remainders rs of Teotihuacof Teotihuacáán Empire.n Empire.

•• XochimilcasXochimilcas build chinampas, artificial islands of about 1 hundred build chinampas, artificial islands of about 1 hundred meters large and 20 wide, surrounded by meters large and 20 wide, surrounded by apantlesapantles (narrow (narrow channels) and channels) and canalescanales, used for transportation of people and food., used for transportation of people and food.

•• Till the beginning of XX century it remained one canal that joinTill the beginning of XX century it remained one canal that joinXochimilco with the center of Mexico city, today it is a cars waXochimilco with the center of Mexico city, today it is a cars way.y.

MexicoMexico LakeLake

ChannelChannel

TheThe beginningbeginning ofof thethe endend

•• Xochimilco is a lake under which runs underground waterXochimilco is a lake under which runs underground water•• At the beginning of XX century as Mexico city begun to grow the At the beginning of XX century as Mexico city begun to grow the authorities exploit authorities exploit

the resource.the resource.•• The continuous extraction of water from the underground, produceThe continuous extraction of water from the underground, produce that some parts that some parts

begun to subsidence while others seem to emerge as the water thabegun to subsidence while others seem to emerge as the water that cover the t cover the subsidence islands was at less levelsubsidence islands was at less level

•• Almost all the Almost all the ejidoejido (a social form of owning land) was lost as a production area.(a social form of owning land) was lost as a production area.•• As the lands are inside of Mexico city near a highway, part of tAs the lands are inside of Mexico city near a highway, part of the ground was sold, he ground was sold,

but in appearance invaded by urban settlements and it terrifyingbut in appearance invaded by urban settlements and it terrifying way of consumption way of consumption and living.and living.

•• Soon the Soon the canales canales and and apantlesapantles, so important for transporting and keeping the , so important for transporting and keeping the humidity, were covered with all kind of trash humidity, were covered with all kind of trash

•• Not much longer the water was contaminated and the lake in proceNot much longer the water was contaminated and the lake in process of ss of euthrificationeuthrification. Some unique spices, as white fish and . Some unique spices, as white fish and axoloteaxolote, in risk of extinction, , in risk of extinction, and the agricultural activity seriously damage by the contaminatand the agricultural activity seriously damage by the contamination of water and soilion of water and soil

In In searchsearch ofof solutionssolutions

•• In 1991 the authority of Mexico city expropriated In 1991 the authority of Mexico city expropriated almost all the remaining area of Xochimilco almost all the remaining area of Xochimilco ejidoejidoand build a parkand build a park

•• As the peasants said that they still wanted to As the peasants said that they still wanted to produce, in the other side of the lake near produce, in the other side of the lake near IztapalapaIztapalapa, a productive area of 120 has with , a productive area of 120 has with irrigation was habilitated, but never used, irrigation was habilitated, but never used, because it seem to be more interesting its because it seem to be more interesting its commercialization for urbanization, so one commercialization for urbanization, so one political leader begun to used as a deposit of political leader begun to used as a deposit of solid trash and construction rubble.solid trash and construction rubble.

•• This is hard to stop because in Xochimilco there is no law This is hard to stop because in Xochimilco there is no law •• The rivers lakes islands and coast seem to be under the rule of The rivers lakes islands and coast seem to be under the rule of

federal authority, but in 1942 there was a decree that transfer federal authority, but in 1942 there was a decree that transfer the the jurisdiction of the lake to the city government, that by that tijurisdiction of the lake to the city government, that by that time was me was also federal. Now the city is autonomous and the local authoritialso federal. Now the city is autonomous and the local authorities es are elected but still donare elected but still don’’t have jurisdiction over police t have jurisdiction over police

•• Besides under definition about who concerns application of law, Besides under definition about who concerns application of law, there is neither no law that regulates what to do or not in the there is neither no law that regulates what to do or not in the lake.lake.

•• So no one rules in Xochimilco Lake and leaders and individuals So no one rules in Xochimilco Lake and leaders and individuals continue speculating with landcontinue speculating with land

What will happened if the Xochimilco Lake What will happened if the Xochimilco Lake

disappears?disappears?

•• it is only important as a cultural and it is only important as a cultural and natural patrimony of humanity?, natural patrimony of humanity?, definitively notdefinitively not

•• ItIt’’s also useful as a water mirror next to s also useful as a water mirror next to the city that provides humiditythe city that provides humidity

•• Is useful to conserve green areas that Is useful to conserve green areas that process de air process de air

•• Is useful for producing food near the city.Is useful for producing food near the city.

II the Mexican way of urbanizationII the Mexican way of urbanization

•• Call invasion, in fact was a planned a tolerated process organizCall invasion, in fact was a planned a tolerated process organized by ed by leaders of political parties or social organizationsleaders of political parties or social organizations

•• What happened: the private urbanization was expensive and What happened: the private urbanization was expensive and government couldngovernment couldn’’t or didnt or didn’’t want to offer urban soil at lower t want to offer urban soil at lower prices.prices.

•• Besides the soil available was illegal or not able to be sell, fBesides the soil available was illegal or not able to be sell, federal ederal zones or zones or ejidosejidos, the owners were only possessors., the owners were only possessors.

•• The solution was The solution was ““darledarle la la vueltavuelta”” make a turn, create a fact. Some make a turn, create a fact. Some people build their houses in a not legal area, but in reality thpeople build their houses in a not legal area, but in reality they buy ey buy it to it to ejidatariosejidatarios or leaders, and throw a long time of negotiation the or leaders, and throw a long time of negotiation the authorities recognized them, and permit them to build the authorities recognized them, and permit them to build the urbanization, introduction of water, drainage, streetsurbanization, introduction of water, drainage, streets

This way was useful for every oneThis way was useful for every one

•• The immigrants got a house The immigrants got a house •• The government didnThe government didn’’t need to invest in t need to invest in

urbanizationurbanization•• The leaders own money and powerThe leaders own money and power•• And people was strongly controlled And people was strongly controlled

because they were afraid of being removebecause they were afraid of being removeConsecuencesConsecuences still nowstill now

WhyWhy a a WaterWater problemproblem??

•• The new neighborhoods begun to grown in hills, and as they made The new neighborhoods begun to grown in hills, and as they made their urbanization their urbanization as they could, without technical assessorial, designed it as is as they could, without technical assessorial, designed it as is it was in the plain in it was in the plain in grid, instead of circuits. streets come down from high in a stragrid, instead of circuits. streets come down from high in a straight line.ight line.

•• As immigrants come to the city to be As immigrants come to the city to be modernmodern they cover all with concrete and didnthey cover all with concrete and didn’’t t live ground to absorb water.live ground to absorb water.

•• When it rains the water look for its way to the streets, that beWhen it rains the water look for its way to the streets, that become in caudal rivers come in caudal rivers or falls, that carry down cars, people, and trash that cover theor falls, that carry down cars, people, and trash that cover the drainage, and form drainage, and form lakes in the lower parts.lakes in the lower parts.

•• Rain becomes a problem to people because it is dangerous, but peRain becomes a problem to people because it is dangerous, but people becomes a ople becomes a problem for water because they cover every space with concrete aproblem for water because they cover every space with concrete and didnnd didn’’t leave t leave water what it ought to do, come inside the ground and become undwater what it ought to do, come inside the ground and become underground watererground water

•• A large part, almost all the rain water goes to de drainage and A large part, almost all the rain water goes to de drainage and not to underground, not to underground, and there it joins with black waters and is through out of the vand there it joins with black waters and is through out of the valley and send to alley and send to Hidalgo state. Hidalgo state.

•• While for the needs of Mexico population water is imported from While for the needs of Mexico population water is imported from far away, with far away, with serious risks for population that suffers lacks of the liquid inserious risks for population that suffers lacks of the liquid in dry station. dry station.

•• People need to buy water it and carry home People need to buy water it and carry home

Cultural patterns or social facts that impact Cultural patterns or social facts that impact vulnerabilityvulnerability

•• Lack of law and regulationLack of law and regulation•• Broking existent law Broking existent law •• Development policy Development policy •• ModernizationModernization•• Cultural patterns Cultural patterns •• TrashTrash•• ConcreteConcrete•• Ambition and money as a goalAmbition and money as a goal

WhatWhat toto dodo

Servicies: ecoServicies: eco--efficiencyefficiency regulationregulation•• AvoidAvoid soilsoil impermeabilizationimpermeabilization by concrete. by concrete. •• AddecuateAddecuate Technologies.Technologies.UrbanUrban administrationadministrationConstructionConstruction RegulationRegulation•• BuildBuild surfacesurface•• GGreenreen areasareas•• MMaterialsaterials•• EcothecnicsEcothecnicsTerritorial PlanningTerritorial Planning•• BuildedBuilded andand openopen areasareas•• Central Central andand periferialperiferial areasareas•• LowLow densitydensity areasareas withwith biologicalbiological corredorscorredors..

Nothing will be useful or enough if the urbanization and businesNothing will be useful or enough if the urbanization and business s interest persist with its pressings corruption of leaders, authointerest persist with its pressings corruption of leaders, authorities rities and even people when they ought to do and even people when they ought to do ““good businessgood business””

Cultural Cultural problemproblem

•• CapitalismCapitalism ((andand itsits extreme extreme vertionvertion neoliberalismneoliberalism) as a ) as a modelmodel focusfocus in in profitprofit isis badbad

•• ModernizingModernizing ideologyideology isis worseworseMakesMakes peoplepeople accompliceaccomplice itsits ownown vulnerabilityvulnerability andand riskriskIfIf profitprofit isis importantimportant, , toto exploitexploit naturenature andand peoplepeople becomesbecomes

a a rationalrational choicechoiceNewNew culture culture andand ideologyideology towardstowards ““dignifieddignified andand

sustainablesustainable livehoodslivehoodsDiferentDiferent logiclogic ((SahlinsSahlins, 1998), 1998)

A A newnew economyeconomy:: diferentdiferent namesnames, , samesame searchsearch

•• Social Social ((WautierWautier, 2003);, 2003);

•• SolidaritySolidarity ((HascoHascoëëtt, 2000; , 2000; ManceMance, 2003; , 2003; SingerSinger, 2003; , 2003; GaigerGaiger, 2003; , 2003; CoheloCohelo, 2003; , 2003; MeloMelo Lisboa, 2003; Del RLisboa, 2003; Del Ríío, 1999); o, 1999);

•• Moral Moral ((LechatLechat, 2003); , 2003); •• dignifieddignified andand sustainablesustainable(Barquin(Barquin y Collin 1996; Ly Collin 1996; Lóópez pez LleraLlera, 2004);, 2004);•• AutogestivaAutogestiva (Alburquerque, 2003; Castro Trajano y Alves de (Alburquerque, 2003; Castro Trajano y Alves de CarbalhoCarbalho, 2003); , 2003);

•• ParticipativeParticipative ((AlbertAlbert, 2002 y 2003);, 2002 y 2003);

•• Popular Popular ((Sarria Icaza y Sarria Icaza y TiribaTiriba, 2003);, 2003);

•• SustainableSustainable ((MilanezMilanez, 2003);, 2003);

•• Local Local ((HernanHernan y y OlguinOlguin, 2002; de Jes, 2002; de Jesúús, 2003, Vargas Herns, 2003, Vargas Hernáández, 2002; ndez, 2002; SchSchöönwnwäälderlder 1997);1997);

•• ComunitaryComunitary ((Esteva, 1994); Esteva, 1994);

•• EndogenoEndogeno ((GodartGodart, , CeronCeron, , VinakerVinaker y y PassarisPassaris, 1987);, 1987); EconomEconomíía de Trabajo a de Trabajo ((CoraggioCoraggio, 2003); , 2003);

•• Social Social andand solidaritysolidarity (Reas, 2004; Foro Social Mundial, 2004, (Reas, 2004; Foro Social Mundial, 2004, RippesRippes, 2005)., 2005).

DiferentDiferent logicslogics

•• ProductionProduction: : moneymoney•• Free Free tradetrade andand

competitioncompetition, , creditcredit as as debtdebt

•• Consume: Consume: wastewaste, use , use andandthrowthrow, confort, confort

•• WorkWork, as human , as human realizationrealization, ,

•• Fair Fair tradetrade. . ReciprocityReciprocity, , hospitalityhospitality, , alternativealternativemoneymoney

•• ResponsibleResponsible

Social Social andand solidaritysolidarity EconomyEconomy

SolidaritySolidarity withwith•• Human Human beingbeing: : newnew jobsjobs

forfor futurefuture genertionsgenertions•• naturenature: : reproduccireproduccióón n andand

conservationconservation•• Culture: Culture: identityidentity, , diversity

Social: Social: buildsbuilds societysociety, , relationsrelations

•• asociationasociation: : producersproducers--consumersconsumers

•• ObjetcObjetc: : satisfactionsatisfactionneedsneeds. (. (basicbasic--simbolicsimbolic)

diversity)

BibliografyBibliografy

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