Potentials and pitfalls of mapping nature-based solutions with the online citizen science platform ClimateScan

Online knowledge-sharing platforms could potentially contribute to an accelerated climate adaptation by promoting more green and blue spaces in urban areas. The implementation of small-scale nature-based solutions (NBS) such as bio(swales), green roofs, and green walls requires the involvement and enthusiasm of multiple stakeholders. This paper discusses how online citizen science platforms can stimulate stakeholder engagement and promote NBS, which is illustrated with the case of ClimateScan. Three main concerns related to online platforms are addressed: the period of relevance of the platform, the lack of knowledge about the inclusiveness and characteristics of the contributors, and the ability of sustaining a well-functioning community with limited resources. ClimateScan has adopted a “bottom–up” approach in which users have much freedom to create and update content. Within six years, this has resulted in an illustrated map with over 5000 NBS projects around the globe and an average of more than 100 visitors a day. However, points of concern are identified regarding the data quality and the aspect of community-building. Although the numbers of users are rising, only a few users have remained involved. Learning from these remaining top users and their motivations, we draw general lessons and make suggestions for stimulating long-term engagement on online knowledge-sharing platform

Planning for flood resilient cities:From promise to practice?

Het idee van een ‘overstromingsveerkrachtige stad’ krijgt steeds meer aandacht, zowel in academisch onderzoek als in beleid. Bij dit idee gaat het erom dat een stad zich kan weren tegen of aanpassen aan overstromingen, zonder in haar functionaliteit aangetast te worden, en daarbij in staat is om te transformeren naar een nieuwe, minder overstromingskwetsbare staat. Dit klinkt veelbelovend, maar het trekt wel traditionele benaderingen en instituties in twijfel. Bovendien vraagt het om een sterkere integratie van overstromingsrisicomanagement en ruimtelijke ordening, en noopt het tot nieuwe vormen bestuur waarin overheid, markt en burger samenwerken. Dit alles roept de vraag op hoe, en in welke mate, deze belofte in de praktijk is gebracht. Dit boek presenteert een studie naar hoe betekenis is gegeven aan het begrip veerkracht binnen overstromingsrisicomanagement strategieën in de stadsregio’s Londen en Rotterdam. Daarnaast belicht dit boek hoe overstromingsveerkracht is geïmplementeerd in stedelijke herontwikkelingsprojecten in Hamburg en Londen. Al met al laat deze studie zien dat in alle drie de steden de neiging bestaat om overstromingsveerkracht op te nemen in bestaande benaderingen. Echter, veerkracht wordt hiermee opgenomen in een nogal technisch-rationele manier van denken, met een sterke nadruk op indicatoren en technische overstromingsmaatregelen. Meer transformatieve benaderingen lijken (nog) niet mogelijk, mede door onduidelijkheden rondom machtsverhoudingen, sociale gerechtigheid en lokale capaciteiten. Alhoewel er valide redenen zijn om vast te houden aan het huidige systeem, lijkt het opportuun om alvast op kleine schaal te gaan experimenten met meer integrale ruimtelijke en sociale maatregelen ten behoeve van overstromingsveerkracht, zeker gezien de toekomstige uitdagingen rondom klimaatadaptatie

From water boards to ‘climate boards’? :Opportunities and threats for strategic repositioning in times of crises

Dutch water boards are commonly viewed as important player in making the Netherlands climate-proof, resonating in calls to transform water boards into ‘climate boards’. Upcoming legislative changes (i.e. the Environment and Planning Act) stress the importance of integrated approaches, emphasizing spatial quality and collaboration. Dutch water boards are therefore in a strategic repositioning process, in which the relation to the spatial planning domain stands central. The institutions’ adaptation process started already in the 1990s, yet the urgency of the current climate crisis makes it more pressing. However, strategic repositioning might be hampered due to the corona crisis. An acute crisis can absorb all attention and thereby impede a long-term transition. The question is, though, if this also applies to the water boards, as they do not have a primary responsibility in combatting Covid-19. Based on a framing analysis of strategic position papers and interviews with water board employees, we shed light on this repositioning process by identifying the water boards’ new ‘mission mystique’ and accompanying opportunities and dilemmas. We conclude that water boards remain rather cautious in living up to their new mission of a proactive partner in integrated planning; they could use their strong reputation as water authorities to act more courageous in climate-related spatial planning decisions

A strategy-based framework for assessing the flood resilience of cities – the Hamburg case study

Climate change and continuous urbanization contribute to an increased urban vulnerability towards flooding. Only relying on traditional flood control measures is recognized as inadequate, since the damage can be catastrophic if flood controls fail. The idea of a flood-resilient city – one which can withstand or adapt to a flood event without being harmed in its functionality – seems promising. But what does resilience actually mean when it is applied to urban environments exposed to flood risk, and how can resilience be achieved? This paper presents a heuristic framework for assessing the flood resilience of cities, for scientists and policy-makers alike. It enriches the current literature on flood resilience by clarifying the meaning of its three key characteristics – robustness, adaptability and transformability – and identifying important components to implement resilience strategies. The resilience discussion moves a step forward, from predominantly defining resilience to generating insight into “doing” resilience in practice. The framework is illustrated with two case studies from Hamburg, showing that resilience, and particularly the underlying notions of adaptability and transformability, first and foremost require further capacity-building among public as well as private stakeholders. The case studies suggest that flood resilience is currently not enough motivation to move from traditional to more resilient flood protection schemes in practice; rather, it needs to be integrated into a bigger urban agenda