Review of Rivers’ 04 Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Managing Rivers in the 21st Century: Issues and Challenges edited byA. Ab Ghani, N. A. Zakaria, R. Abdullah, and M. S. S. Ahamad: REDAC, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Seri Ampangan, Penang, Malaysia, 2004, ISBN: 983-3067-08-5 (Proceedings), ISBN: 983-3067-09-3 (CD-ROM), Price US$ 50 (Proceedings+CD-ROM)

This conference brings back great memories of the wonderful venue at the Mutiara Beach Resort. The great Malaysian food and the music of Siti Nurhaliza really emphasized that Penang is the “Pearl of the Orient.” The River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC) organized the first of a series of triennial International Conferences on River Management in the 21st Century. The purpose is to provide a major forum for exchanging views on the latest research issues and application methods related to rivers. Under the dynamic leadership of N. A. Zakaria and the steadfast workmanship of A. Ab Ghani, this first conference received considerable support from numerous national and international organizations. Some of the issues discussed include dealing with flash floods, urban drainage, water scarcity, water pollution, watershed management, and river conservation. The challenges ahead focus on ways to preserve the natural environment of rivers in the presence of major development of river basins. The concepts include sustainable urban drainage systems, a back-to-nature approach to river restoration, and integrated river basin management.

The Proceedings include 70 papers selected from 100 abstract submissions. The main topics are river hydraulics and hydrology, river management, and river modeling∕case studies. About 30% of the papers were from international participants. The organizing committee was successful at bringing people with different perspectives (including academicians, developers, governmental and NGO personnel, and politicians) for a broad-based forum on Malaysian rivers.

The editors should be commended for maintaining a nice standard format for all papers. The two-column text presentation continues throughout the volume. The color photographs also enhance the quality of the proceedings. Individual papers vary in length from 4 to 13 pages. The Proceedings will be enjoyed by all members of the international community who are interested in a broad-based multidisciplinary forum on river management. It is also a must-read for Malaysian scientists and researchers working on rivers.

The publisher provides a very good quality manuscript with high-quality heavy paper and a simple paperback binding. The quality of the numerous photos and illustrations (particularly the few color photos) is truly remarkable. The font size and overall typesetting are also appropriate. The volume may be a little heavy, but the material is also available on a CD. The price for this enjoyable material is truly affordable.

In summary, the Proceedings of this first conference on river management offer an international perspective and a broad-based forum for discussing many rivers in Malaysia. It is primarily recommended to engineers and scientists who are interested in river management and stream restoration of river basins that are undergoing major developments.