ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the physical and socio-cultural formation of the Mekong Delta and then introduces the Asiatic concepts of "hydraulic civilization" and desakota in order to conceptually expand both past and possible futures of humankind's organization and settlement of the territory. Hydraulic civilization refers to the raison detre of societies, which required substantial and centralized works of water control and, in turn, was reflected in political power and leadership. The notion of a hydraulic civilization—beyond its ties to politics—holds invaluable lessons and inspiration for contemporary deltas. The Mekong Delta Region Plan seizes the opportunity of climate change to realign the plan with the characteristics of the territory. The delta coast has prograded more than 200 km seaward from Cambodia over the past 8,000 years as a result of the voluminous supply of sediment from the Mekong River. Canals and channels are part-and-parcel of the Mekong Delta's mutation from a quagmire into rich agri- and aquacultural mosaic.
