Transition Processes in Dutch Spatial Planning and Water Management

A Shift to the Natural

Bibliographic Data

ID22018246
AuthorsZoe van Eldik (0000-0002-7232-5977), W Timmermans (0000-0001-7568-5807), Wim De Haas (0000-0001-9728-9047)
Year2024
Volume9
Publication date2024-10-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueUrban Planning (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2183-7635 • E-ISSN: 2183-7635
PublisherCogitatio (PUBLISHER • PT)
DOI10.17645/up.8056
OpenAlexW4403394799
LanguageEN
References cited15

Climate change is causing more extreme weather conditions in the Netherlands. In response, local governments such as Provinces, Municipalities, and regional Water Boards are encouraged to explore more nature-inclusive ways to keep society safe from flooding and drought. This is considered a transition from the earlier belief that environmental and societal challenges can be solved solely through technical engineering. Instead, landscape-based, climate-adaptive visions offer alternatives on how Dutch regions can maintain water security while also incorporating space for biodiversity, climate mitigation, healthy livelihood and expanding populations. So far, not much is known about the challenges project leaders from different organisations and local governments are facing during the development and implementation of such visions. To address this gap, we used the concept of learning history to build an archive capturing the insider perspective of project leaders tasked with co-creating landscape-based, climate-adaptive visions for future spatial planning and water management across four regions of the Netherlands. By observing and interviewing project leaders, we noticed how co-creating long-term visions enabled more climate-conscious dialogues between local government authorities and civil stakeholder groups. Reflecting on this archive, we gained insights into the strategic challenges associated with adopting biophysical processes as a foundational framework for future spatial development and policy-making. Furthermore, we documented examples of tactical approaches employed by project leaders to navigate these challenges effectively

Archaeology · Business · Corporate governance · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Epistemology · Geography · Paradigm shift · Spatial planning · Chemistry · demographic modeling and climate adaptation · Environmental Conservation and Management · Environmental Science · Land Use and Ecosystem Services