Water Policy Networks: A New Form of Governance for Cyprus? The Case of Nicosia

Abstract

This chapter aims to present and analyze the framework of policy networks and its implementation in the Cypriot water sector, with particular emphasis on the island's capital, Nicosia. The chapter's argument develops in four steps. First, information on Cyprus' water situation is presented, so as to explain why co-operation in this sector is imperative for the island's survival. Second, a short history of Nicosia is portrayed in order to shed light on its uniqueness and particularity as a case study. Third, the areas of bi-communal co-operation on water resources management in Nicosia are presented along with a description of the existing policy networks. The last step includes the presentation and analysis of the policy network concept along with the synthesis of the theory with the case study. The chapter closes by drawing some conclusions.