rehydrating the earth - REAL - EnviroSystems Research on Small Groundwater Retaining Structures under Local Management in Arid and Semi-arid Areas of East Africanmental protection in the Balkan countries : reuse of industrial miner

The research focused on the semi-arid areas in Kenya and Tanzania. Within a setting of demanding natural circumstances - growing pressure on natural resources and difficult economic conditions including rural-urban migration - several groundwater structures successfully built in the last 6 years e.g. in the Kitui and Tsave regions of Eastern Kenya were investigated. The reasons for success in relation to technological possibilities sustained by social, economic, organisational and managerial factors of the communities and local government were evaluated. The outcome was tested against a parallel area in Tanzania. Results from both areas were condensed into a manual for design, operation and maintenance of small water retaining structures with focus on local management and community participation.