SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL SPECIALIZATION UNDER WATER SCARCITY: GLOBAL EXPERIENCE AND PROSPECTS FOR UZBEKISTAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21074659Keywords:
regional specialization, water scarcity, water productivity, virtual water, water footprint, smart specialization, regional development, Bukhara region.Abstract
This article investigates how regional specialization can be redesigned under conditions of
chronic water scarcity. It integrates classical comparative advantage theory, location theory, new economic
geography, cluster development, institutional economics, and smart specialization with water stress, water
footprint, virtual water, and water productivity approaches. The study applies systemic, comparative, structural,
and institutional analysis to examine international experience from Israel, Australia, the Netherlands, and
Spain, and relates the findings to Uzbekistan, with particular attention to the Bukhara region. The results
demonstrate that sustainable specialization in water-constrained territories should not be evaluated solely
by output volume or historical production patterns. Instead, it should be guided by value added, employment,
export earnings, and ecological effects per cubic metre of water. The article proposes a diversified smart
specialization model for Bukhara based on water-efficient horticulture, greenhouse production, food
processing, tourism, education, digital services, and water technologies. Institutional reforms, digital water
accounting, differentiated incentives, research–business cooperation, and strict monitoring are identified as
prerequisites for effective implementation.
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