Worksheet 3 - Role-play Game

INTRODUCTION

Dams (and their accompanying reservoirs) have been constructed for a variety of reasons.  They can bring stable water resources to region and economic prosperity, but there are also many risks and consequences associated with them.  This seminar will consider the roles and responsibilities of the key players and interested parties in the design, planning, construction and operation of a large dam such as the Three Gorges dam.

The construction of the colossal Hoover Dam in the 1930s heralded the start of the economic and political trend for large (or mega-) dams (over 100m high) that still continues today.  The most topical and controversial large dam scheme is undoubtedly be the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River, China.  This will be the largest man-made structure in the world.  It has been constructed not only for the purposes of flood protection, navigation and hydroelectric power generation, but as a political statement to the world.  However, such a large structure inevitably has considerable impacts on the local inhabitants and the environment.   Often there are contrasting opinions between fluvial geomorphologists and dam engineers as to the most environmentally-friendly type of dam, whether to continue to build mega-dams or to build more, but smaller dam structures.

REMIT

Role-play of the issue based around a debate to explore the main issues, opinions and conflicts of interest. The key players include:

• Chinese government.

• Locals in favour of the dam (e.g. local contractors).

• Locals against the dam (e.g. those being displaced) (see Zich, 1997).

• Environmental pressure groups (such as International Rivers Network, Probe International).

• Chinese opponent/dissident (e.g. Dai Qing, author of "Yangtze! Yangtze!").

• International banks/investment consortiums funding project, and international companies supplying project.

• International banks and companies boycotting the project (including the World Bank).

Preparatory Questions

• Consider the different perspectives of the following (and other) sites: 

• International Rivers Network

• Chinese government

• Chinese newspapers

• China Water

• International banks

• Identify players and interested particles who are 'for' and 'against' the Three Gorges Dam Project. Research their websites.  Refer to the Web Links section.

FORMAT

1. Allocate pupils with the roles of the key players.

2. Ask pupils to research independently their viewpoint using the internet. [see Web Links]

3. Outline the stages in the development and use of a dam, and ask the pupils to consider the roles of the different players at these different stages:

1. Proposal stage - the initial idea proposed by politicians, industry, or financiers; 

2. Design stage - architects and planners;

3. Planning stage - securing funding from banks, environmental impact assessment, selecting a suitable location, dealing with pressure groups;

4. Construction phase - the building of coffer dams and the dam structure, building new settlements for displaced inhabitants;

5. Reservoir-filling stage - relocation of inhabitants, filling-up of reservoir

6. Operation stage

4. Conclude with a debate (for example, see Worksheet 4), splitting the key players into teams of proponents and opponents.  The moot point is whether large dams, such as the Three Gorges Dam, are beneficial?  Each group should justify their perspective.

5. The teacher provides a summary of the proceedings.

Other resources:

• Synopsis

• Three Gorges Dam - A Review

• Worksheet 1 - Introductory Questions

• Worksheet 2 - Advanced Questions

• Worksheet 3 - Role-play Game

• Worksheet 4 - Classroom Debate

• Notes for Teachers

• Further Reading

• Web Links

Adapted from:

• RiversWEB: www.smuc.ac.uk/RiversWEB/index.html

• Simm DJ (2002) Using the internet as a teaching tool: Three Gorges Dam, China. Teaching Geography, 27(2), 82-86.

© British Society for Geomorphology (Education and Outreach). Author: Dave Simm, Bath Spa University College (2004).