Some Strategic Principles for Long-Term River Basin Development — The Case of Han River

Abstract

When formulating a river basin strategy economic benefits, social benefits and environmental benefits have to be considered in combination. The selected plan for the development of a river basin should pay reasonable attention to the benefits both for the parts concerned and for the whole area, both for the present time and for the future, and to the consistency of productivity of nature and human being.

Basic strategic principles for long term river basin development as illustrated from the Han River would include mitigation of disasters and damages, evaluation of water and land resources capabilities, assessment of the environmental impacts of actions, protection and multiple use of aquatic environments, control and protection of land resources, and preparedness for future changes. Thus, the river basin strategy must be formed in combining water resources planning, land use planning and environmental planning of the basin into an integral whole.