Design Patterns for Customizing Irrigation Governance

Abstract

"How can experience with good solutions for institutional design be shared in ways that help customize governance for diverse situations? In their pattern language for architecture and regional planning, Christopher Alexander and colleagues identified patterns, primarily based on successful vernacular architectures, which could be selectively combined and customized to fit particular situations. Similarly, institutional design patterns could be helpful in creating and adapting governance for commons. A semantic mediawiki could offer a useful platform for sharing design patterns, and collaborating to identify and develop design patterns, as part of the semantic web. Elinor Ostrom’s design principles for commons, and principles for irrigation governance identified by Trawick illustrate design patterns useful for customizing irrigation governance."