Preliminary communication
Istria – Draguć Dam
Nataša Lončar Butić
Ivan Magdalenić
Milan Župančić
Abstract
The article presents the results of some research on how a planned hydro-technical intervention in the accumulation Butoniga affects life conditions and prospects of development of the local population. The Butoniga accumulation is located in the central part of Istria,
in the area of Buzet, Pazin and Cerovlje municipality. It was formed about 20 years ago in order to regulate the water supply and protect the area from floods. Now new technical interventions are devised (Draguć dam) to improve the water supply of Istria. The sociological
research which was carried out was applied qualitative research, but we believe the obtained results are greatly significant for spatial planning in general, possible conflicts and relations between actors of planned activities. Therefore they are relevant for the sociology
of space. It is obvious that even a limited technical intervention causes different conflicts of interest among numerous actors and its advantages and disadvantages are unequally distributed. The local population, without information and no influence on decision making,
expect to suffer more damage because of reduced areas of farmland and microclimatic changes ( compensation for land expropriation is small with some unpaid “old debts”). The local population is also affected by the protection of drinking water sources, and further
development is rather limited. Experts who were interviewed have somewhat different expectations regarding the new intervention; for some of them the Accumulation is primarily a protection from flood, for others the water supply is a priority. Representatives of the local
and regional government have different preferences. They believe that water is a strategic resource and a good water supply network vitally important for the population and further development of tourism in Istria. However, everybody agrees that the local population
should be given compensation. Since the local government do not have the necessary means for compensation, they look to the central government for support as these are matters of common interest.
Keywords
accumulation; water supply; conflict of interest
Hrčak ID:
41696
URI
Publication date:
21.10.2009.
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