This paper proposes the application of the Heartware approach as a critical lens for advancing Integrated Lake–River Basin Management, highlighting the role of local values, shared narratives, and emotional connections in driving sustainable socio-technical change. Conventional river basin rameworks often emphasize technological ("Hardware") and institutional ("Software") solutions, yet they frequently overlook the humanistic and relational dimensions that are essential for fostering inclusive and enduring stewardship. Drawing on comparative insights from watershed management experiences in Japan - particularly influenced by the ILBM epistemic community in Lake Biwa — and over a decade of action research in Malaysia (Mohamad et al, 2015, 2018; Mohamad, 2023; Abd Kadir, Mohamad and Mac-Bride, 2024) this paper demonstrates how community-shared values and place-based meanings significantly shape environmental governance outcomes.
A more recent and practical application of the Heartware framework is illustrated through Place-Based Citizen Science (PBCS) initiative using the Eco-Heart Index (Sakai et al, 2018; Mohamad et al, 2021). This tool empowers communities to assess water quality using culturally resonant symbols, facilitating deeper engagement, scientific literacy, and emotional attachment to local ecosystems. Such innovations not only democratize environmental monitoring but also nurture a profound sense of place and responsibility among stakeholders.
The paper argues that embedding basin governance within the cultural and historical fabric of communities offers a promising pathway for strengthening the interface between science, society, and the environment. Ultimately, the Heartware approach contributes toward a more relational, participatory, and culturally embedded model for sustainable lake–river basin management, advancing the goals of ILBM and global sustainability agendas.