Imagine standing in the Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan, a vast dryland marked by extensive agricultural landscapes and a complex irrigation system. In this region, water is not just a resource — it is essential for survival. Yet, rising water demand, climate change and outdated infrastructure are straining already limited water supplies. The systems in place to manage this vital resource often fall short, leaving communities vulnerable to escalating challenges.
What if a platform is created to enable authorities responsible for water management collaborate on solutions? What if they co-developed systems that enable better data sharing and help identify patterns? This is the essence of co-design — a paradigm shift in how we approach problem-solving and decision-making in water management.
Co-designing water solutions
Co-design is a philosophy of inclusion. It recognizes that those directly involved in water management possess critical knowledge that can improve systems and foster smarter, more resilient solutions. This approach is not about imposing lab-developed technology; it is about creating solutions together, ensuring that they reflect local realities and needs.
In Kashkadarya, this principle has guided the development of a next-generation water monitoring system, led by scientists of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and their partners from the Ministry of Water in Uzbekistan and local water authorities.
The process began with a simple but essential step: listening to stakeholders. IWMI researchers identified key actors involved in water management whose insights formed the foundation for a locally relevant system. The stakeholders revealed challenges, including inefficient reporting and fragmented data, which hinder understanding of water allocation and availability. These findings were validated during a stakeholder consultation, involving decision makers, water managers and water specialists. Rather than pursuing a one-size-fits-all solution, stakeholders emphasized the need for a monitoring system that provides accurate, accessible data, supporting transparent decision-making and aligning with their day-to-day responsibilities.
Inputs lead to action
From these conversations, a vision for the system began to take shape. It needed to offer real-time updates on variables such as rainfall, groundwater levels and irrigation water releases. The system should include alerts for sudden changes such as reductions in rainfall or drops in water storage in reservoirs. It should integrate data from multiple sources, including remote sensing and field-based measurements. Just as importantly, it had to be intuitive, accessible and adaptable — enhancing decision-making without adding complexity.
The co-design process led to the creation of a conceptual framework, core functionalities and a phased implementation plan. This new system will be designed to address the gaps left by existing platforms. It will use geospatial technologies and advanced analytics to deliver actionable insights via dashboards and alert mechanisms.
Built through collaboration, the system will prioritize usability and practical application. It ensures data sharing is seamless, water accounting is accurate, and indicators across the water-energy-food nexus are integrated into decisions that affect the entire region.
From concept to reality
The next phase of work, currently in progress, involves translating the stakeholder-driven framework into prototypes, pilot testing and full deployment, accompanied by capacity building for local actors to ensure sustainability. This process guarantees a scalable and sustainable solution for dryland water management.
This is where co-design proves its true value. Prototypes won’t be developed in isolation — they will be refined with ongoing stakeholder input. During consultations, water managers identified the most critical data needed for decision-making and highlighted challenges such as limited internet access in some areas, hindering data sharing. These insights informed design considerations, ensuring the system remains functional even amid infrastructure constraints.
The goal is not simply to monitor water; it is to transform how water is managed. The system will offer real-time insights through an intuitive dashboard, send alerts when thresholds are crossed and integrate with local systems. While tailored to Kashkadarya, its principles can be adapted to other regions facing similar challenges.
Why co-design matters
What makes this effort innovative is not only the technology — but the collaborative process behind it. Co-design transforms stakeholders into co-creators, fostering a sense of ownership that is critical for long-term success. People are more likely to use, trust and sustain a system they helped build.
The benefits extend beyond the system itself. Co-design builds trust, strengthens collaboration and enhances local capacity, ensuring communities are better prepared to face future water challenges.
As water crises grow more frequent and intense across the globe, the lessons from Kashkadarya are clear: solutions must be both smart and human-centered. They must be built not just for people — but with them.
Co-design is more than a method. It is a mindset — one that is already making a difference in Kashkadarya and holds the potential to reshape water management worldwide.
