Towards transition management of European water resources

Global change fundamentally changes the nature of water-related problems. We will illustrate this by showing how perceptions of the water-problems in the Netherlands have shifted in the past four decades. The nature of water-related problems changed from a technical problem’ to a so-called ‘persistent’ problem, characterized by plurality, uncertainty and complexity. Although integrated water resource management (IWRM) has been advocated to cope with this type of problem, the complexity of the transition process towards such a water management regime is often underestimated. Therefore, transition management is needed in the water sector. Transition management theory is presented and applied to the Dutch case. Transition management strategies are suggested that would reinforce this transition. Comparison between the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) and transition management indicates that the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) in its current form is not sufficiently stimulating an innovation climate

Transition dynamics in social-ecological systems: The case of Dutch water management

The main objective of this dissertation is to generate more insight into the dynamics of sustainability transitions, more specifically it deals with the question of which kind of social structures are changing during a transition and how these transformative changes come about. Using insights from resilience theory and social theories, this research indicates that in order to understand and explain transitions we should shift our attention towards the regime concept. The regime is often treated as a black box, not explicitly clarifying which elements constitute the regime nor addressing the internal dynamics. The regime conceptualization suggested in this dissertation is a first step into this direction. A new transition analysis approach is developed which enables researchers to analyze which regime structures are changing during a transition and how these changes come about (i.e. the underlying transformation patterns). The research presents an in-depth analysis of the dynamics of the transition of Dutch water management, starting around the 1970s and is still unfolding towards a new regime adapting to and anticipating climate change. Our analysis suggests that niches and the regimes may be more cooperative than suggested in the literature and that even the regime is actively involved in creating niches. The regime creates niches through the formation of new structures. The niche initiates transformation leading to new regime structures, which in turn trigger niches. Scientifically, this dissertation triggers intriguing questions as to when societal change may be classified as transition. Practically, it provides leverages for systems analysis and transition management

The transition in Dutch water management

Over the past decades the Dutch people have been confronted with severe waterrelated problems, which are the result of an unsustainable water system, arising from human interventions in the physical infrastructure of the water system and the water management style. The claims of housing, industry, infrastructure and agriculture have resulted in increasing pressure on the water system. The continuous subsidence of soil and climate change has put pressure on the land. Hence, the nature and magnitude of water-related problems have changed. Longitudinal research of relevant national policy documents reveals that the water management regime has changed its water management style over the past thirty years from a technocratic scientific style towards an integral and participatory style. We have investigated if the historical development in Dutch Water management can be characterized as a transition. Based on longitudinal research through an integrated systems analysis, document research and expert interviews, we have reconstructed the historical narrative by using the transition concepts of multi-level and multi-phase. This research indicates that the shift in Dutch Water management can be characterized as a transition. This transition is currently in the take-off stage and near the acceleration stage. This is a crucial stage as long as the considerable differences between the strategic macro-vision and the practical implementation at the micro-level remains. As long as these levels are not compatible (modulation), the transition will not be completed successfully. Transition management as multi-level governance model should therefore be adopted to facilitate the modulation

Deliverable 3.1. Field trial framework for the use of knowledge concerning climate adaptation measures and their implementation

This field trial framework aims to ensure that the various field trials at the EVOKED case study sites are carried out, as much as possible, in a consistent manner such that they may be cross compared, and lessons may be drawn. We do so by describing a framework using the key aspects of EVOKED: • Climate services: the service of providing climate information in such a way that it supports decision-making, as well as benefiting society. Examples of such services are projections, trends, economic analysis • Living Lab approach: an action-oriented research approach with committed stakeholders who actively participate in a real-life test and experimentation environment (i.e. laboratory) to test hypothesis, in this case hypotheses concerning climate services as well as coming up with solutions for complex problems such as climate adaptation or risk and uncertainty assessments. • Information: the creation of information from climate data so that it becomes meaningful, useful for stakeholders and end-users in making decisions. A series of hypotheses are formulated for each of these key aspects to translate the theoretical concepts into a field trial framework. Thus the goal of the field trials is to find ways in which climate information meets the needs of the end-EU, Horizon Europe European Research Area for Climate Services JPI Climate The Research Council of Norway Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany) NWO FORMA

Transitiemanagement en duurzame ontwikkeling: co-evolutionaire sturing in het licht van complexiteit

This article presents a promising governance framework for 'persistent societal problems', based on the concept of transition management. This framework is based on the common notions from complexity theory and new forms of governance, that are folded into a new management paradigm. This management paradigm starts from complexity and uncertainty as drivers of societal innovation, not as obstacles that have to be fully controlled. Essential feature of transition management is the explicit coupling of content and process. The analysis (based on the presented analytical concepts) determines the transition management process: the management possibilities and instruments that are employed with regard to the presented management framework. The framework entails goals, activities, instruments and competences for the strategic, tactical and operational level. Which activities and actors are being involved depends on the phase of the transition

Deliverable 3.2. Capacity building material for the field trials

In Deliverable 3.1 (Deltares, 2019) the theoretical background, research questions, hypotheses (also summarized in Section 2 of this document) and overall method have been described. This deliverable focuses on the workflow in the field trials and provides capacity materials (templates) to carry out the research. The workflow and templates are meant to help to: 1. Select the climate service(s) that will be adapted for the EVOKED project; 2. Identify ‘usability-gap(s)’ between the information given by the climate service(s) and the information needs of the end-user(s); 3. Think about a new, improved information design (i.e. the way in which information is presented – for a more elaborate explanation on the concept we refer to Deliverbale 3.1 (Deltares, 2019) of the selected climate service(s) to help bridge the aforementioned ‘usability-gap’ through the way information is presented to the user of the climate service(s); 4. To test the new information design (as an experiment). Finally, this document aims to create a coherent data management structure by using the same templates for each case study location. This enables both the cross-comparison between the case studies and the overall analysis regarding EVOKED-hypotheses.EU, Horizon Europe European Research Area for Climate Services JPI Climate The Research Council of Norway Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany) NWO FORMA

Adaptation Planning Support Toolbox: Measurable performance information based tools for co-creation of resilient, ecosystem-based urban plans with urban designers, decision-makers and stakeholders

AbstractCurrently, most tools, guidelines and benchmarks for urban adaptation raise awareness on climate change impacts, assess the city’s vulnerability and/or address the need for adaptation on a policy-level. However, tools that have the ability to implement adaptation solutions in the actual urban planning and design practice seem to be missing. We developed and tested the Adaptation Planning Support Toolbox (APST) to fill this gap. This toolbox supports local policymakers, planners, designers and practitioners in defining the program of demands, in setting adaptation targets, in selecting from more than 60 blue, green and grey adaptation measures and with informed co-creation of conceptual adaptation plans. The APST provides quantitative, evidence-based performance information on (cost)effectiveness of adaptation measures regarding climate resilience and co-benefits. The APST can be used design workshops, to feed dialogues among stakeholders on where and how which ecosystem-based adaptation measures can be applied. Applications of the AST in various settings and context in cities on different continents have illustrated the added value of the toolbox in bringing policy and practice together with help of science. With more and more cities worldwide that will make the step from policymaking to actual adaptation-inclusive urban (re)development practice we foresee a growing demand for such tools

Facing the Adaptive Management Challenge: Insights from Transition Management

Recent research suggests that transitions toward adaptive water management regimes are needed because current water management regimes cannot adequately respond to uncertainty. The pivotal question is how to understand and manage such transitions. The literature on adaptive management addresses this question in part, but must now move beyond the descriptive toward a prescriptive management framework. Transition management theory could help in meeting this challenge. The similarity of the theoretical starting points yet different applications offer fertile conditions for cross-pollination. We investigate three central concepts from the transition management literature for their potential contribution to adaptive management. In particular, the notions of arenas and shadow networks merit further study through joint research