The Emotional Connection to Urban Water Through the Lens of the Water Customer

Abstract

This paper describes and reports on the use of the PhotoStory research method for eliciting values, emotional connection and the social relations involved in the governance of water in an urban setting. Using a combination of photos, diaries and group discussions, the study examined the emotional resonance of the concept of urban water in Adelaide and concepts such as justice, equity, aesthetics and probing the relationships between them and the grand conception of water governance models. This original empirical research reveals that the conceptions of water are deep and the community is comfortable with some policies such as water saving, but is questioning others.

The results express a huge emotional connection to water used for aesthetic purposes. The emotive captions to the photos express the depth of resonance and caring and, indeed, demonstrate connection of the community with water governance issues.

Keywords: water governance, urban water, PhotoStory, emotional connection