Wicked water problems and failure in water policy making: evidence from the Urmia Lake restoration in Iran

Misunderstanding complex environmental problems is often cited as a key reason for the failure to effectively address them. Those in charge of addressing these problems may be either unable or unwilling to acknowledge the problem's true nature. As one of the daunting environmental challenges in recent decades, the shrinkage of Urmia Lake has provoked global concern. Yet, despite substantial amounts of efforts and expenditure, the problem lingers and even worsens over time. This study aims to investigate the reasons behind the failure of restoration efforts in the Urmia Lake Basin by utilizing the concept of wicked problems as a fresh analytical framework. The paper also argues that the inherent characteristics of wicked problems provide a powerful tool for understanding complex water and environmental challenges, fostering new and insightful questions that pave the way for novel avenues of addressing the problem. The results revealed six characteristics of the problem that not only confirm its wicked nature but also suggest that it cannot be resolved using current approaches. These characteristics of the Urmia Lake issue include: (1) it manifests other problems; (2) it lacks clear boundaries; (3) it involves conflicting interests among stakeholders; (4) it has an evolving nature; (5) it is unique and specific to its location; and (6) it lacks a unified narrative or understanding of the problem. The paper concludes by offering suggestions tailored to these characteristics, serving as a starting point for rethinking the problem of Urmia Lake.