The Integrated Water Resources Management IWRM paradigm has been worldwiderecognized as the only feasible way currently available to ensure a sustainableperspec... » 

The Integrated Water Resources Management IWRM paradigm has been worldwiderecognized as the only feasible way currently available to ensure a sustainableperspective in planning and managing water resource systems. It is theinspiring principle of the Water Framework Directive adopted by the EuropeanUnion in 2000 as well as the main reference for all the water related activityof UNESCO in the third world countries. However very often real worldattempts of implementing IWRM fail for the lack of a systematic approach andthe inadequacy of tools and techniques adopted to address the intrinsicallycomplex nature of water systems. This book explores recent and importantcontributions of System Analysis and Control Theory to the technicalapplication of such paradigm and to the improvement of its theoretical basis.Its prior aim is to demonstrate how the modelling and computationaldifficulties posed by this paradigm might be significantly reduced bystrengthening the efficiency of the solution techniques instead of weakeningthe integration requirements. The first introductory chapter provides thereader with a logical map of the book by formalizing the IWRM paradigm in aninestep decisional procedure and by identifying the points where thecontribution of System Analysis and Control Theory is more useful. The book isthen organized in three sections whose chapters analyze some theoretical andmathematical aspects of these contributions or presents design applications.The outstanding research issues on the border between System Analysis and IWRMis depicted in the last chapter where a pull of scientists and expertscoordinated by Prof. Tony Jakeman describe the foreseeablescenario.The book is based on the most outstanding contributions to the IFAC workshop onModelling and Control for Participatory Planning and Managing Water Systemsheld in Venice September 28 October 1 2004. That workshop has been conceivedand organized with the exp «