Interactive Problem Structuring with ICZM Stakeholders

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is struggling with a lack of science-management integration. Many computer systems, usually known as “decision support systems”, have been developed with the intention to make scientific knowledge about complex systems more accessible for coastal managers. These tools, allowing a multi-disciplinary approach with multi-criteria analyses, are designed for well-defined, structured problems. However, in practice stakeholder consensus on the problem structure is usually lacking. Aim of this paper is to explore the practical opportunities for the new so-called Quasta approach to structure complex problems in a group setting. This approach is based on a combination of Cognitive Mapping and Qualitative Probabilistic Networks. It comprehends a new type of computer system which is quite simple and flexible as well. The tool is tested in two workshops in which various coastal management issues were discussed. Evaluations of these workshops show that (1) this system helps stakeholders to make them aware of causal relationships, (2) it is useful for a qualitative exploration of scenarios, (3) it identifies the quantitative knowledge gaps of the problem being discussed and (4) the threshold for non technicians to use this tool is quite low.Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Problem Structuring, Stakeholder Participation, Cognitive Mapping, Interactive Policy Making

A Framework for Assessing Climate Adaptation Governance on the Caribbean Island of Curaçao

It is becoming increasingly clear that Caribbean islands are very vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, longer periods of droughts, loss of biodiversity, more extreme weather events (flooding and hurricanes), and increased freshwater demands. Addressing these issues encourages good climate change adaptation governance. So far, however, the literature has not discussed what good governance could mean in this context. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to address this knowledge gap by developing an assessment framework and showing its usefulness. The framework is based on a review of the literature and is applied in an assessment of adaptation practices in Curaçao. The assessment is based on a review of Curaçao policy documents and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders. We found that the developed framework was useful for obtaining a better insight into the quality of adaptation governance on Caribbean islands, and that in the Curaçao practices, the good governance principles of transparency and inclusiveness are better elaborated in comparison to connectivity, accountability and government effectiveness. We conclude the paper with some reflections on the potential of the framework and some suggestions for further research

Assessing the soundness of water governance: lessons learned from applying the 10 Building Blocks Approach

Sound governance is needed to address water issues, but soundness is a contested concept that should be further specified in societal debates. These debates can benefit from interdisciplinary knowledge. The 10 Building Blocks Approach, a tool developed to generate such knowledge, has been widely applied in research and teaching. In this paper, we draw on the literature and reflect on the experiences of using this approach by elucidating the strengths and weaknesses identified during its applications. Based on our reflections, we propose a revised version of the approach

Social learning in multilevel flood risk governance: Lessons from the Dutch Room for the River Program

Although social learning is a key element of multilevel flood risk governance, it is hardly studied. This paper addresses this knowledge gap. The paper aims to identify enabling conditions for social learning in multilevel flood risks governance arrangements.We first conceptualize social learning and draw up a conceptual framework consisting of enabling conditions for social learning, using the literature on adaptive co-management, sustainable land and water management, and integrated flood risk management. Next, we apply this framework to analyze social learning in the context of the Dutch Room for the River program. Our interview results reveal that social learning about integrated flood protection measures took place at multiple levels. We found that a strong personal commitment to learning and mutual interpersonal trust in working groups are key conditions for successful social learning. Based on our analysis, we conclude with some recommendations for enhancing social learning processes in future flood protection programs

City-to-City Learning to Enhance Urban Water Management: The Contribution of the City Blueprint Approach

Cities face several water challenges which ask for more pro-active governance approaches. One option that cities have is to start networking and build learning alliances with other cities. Forming meaningful alliances however asks for clear and easily accessible city-matching methodologies which are based on a standardised assessment approach and the presence of structured and large databases. The City Blueprint Approach is an example of such a methodology. Aim of this paper is to show the potential of this approach as a substantive methodology for enhancing urban water management. This is done by illustrating the use of the approach in four cities, which were studied in the H2020 project POWER (Political and sOcial awareness on Water EnviRonmental challenges) and by comparing the results found with good practises present in the City Blueprint database. These good practises however cannot simply be copy-pasted from one city to another. We therefore outline in what way more in-depth city to city learning results can be achieved and be tailored to best-fit particular urban areas. The paper concludes with some suggestions for enhancing the potential for city-to-city learning in urban water governance networks

Collaborative learning for policy innovations: sustainable urban drainage systems in Leicester, England

Collaboration among multiple stakeholders is crucial in decentralised governance settings. The success of such collaboration hinges upon collaborative learning–the acquiring, translating, and disseminating of policy-relevant knowledge. However, despite much research, a knowledge gap persists in the public policy literature on the relationship between learning and policy change. It is debated whether learning is necessary and sufficient for policy change, and if so, under what conditions. To contribute to this debate, this paper examined whether collaborative learning has had any impact on the emergence and implementation of sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) in Leicester, England. We first examined implementation of SuDS in Leicester, and then study collaborative learning focused on SuDS. We found that implementation of SuDS in Leicester is marginal despite active collaborative learning that has resulted in the change in beliefs and attitudes towards SuDS among all policy actors in the setting. Social dynamics factors and leadership of two SuDS champions proved crucial for collaborative learning. We conclude that collaborative learning, while essential for legitimacy of a policy innovation, is not sufficient for policy change and a national legal and institutional framework is required to incentivise broader SuDS practices in Leicester and England

Double Dutch? Transferring the integrated area approach to Bulgaria Paper for the 2008 Berlin Conference on the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change, Berlin, 22-23 February 2008

Linda van Duivenbode (POVVIK-Mec B.V., Ondiep-zuidzijde, 3551 BW Utrecht, the Netherlands) René Boesten (POVVIK-Mec B.V., Ondiep-zuidzijde, 3551 BW Utrecht, the Netherlands) Abstract National and regional development plans and private sector investment plans guide the development of the Bulgarian coastal zone. Still, the development is focussed on shortterm returns and profits. Pressure from the great number of investors combined with competition between municipalities to attract investments, limited national funds to support the needed development of infrastructure and utilities and the weak legal basis for enforcing the top down implementation of the plans contribute further to this short term thinking. Long-term thinking integrating several societal interests is required in order to meet the sustainability challenges. The Dutch integrated area approach is an attempt to integrate several societal interests. So far it has been quite successful. At the request of the Bulgarian government the approach is transferred to Bulgaria in order to develop a vision and a strategy for integrated coastal zone management for the Black Sea coast. The Bulgarian request is also a consequence of the EU Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management, which urges EU member states to develop a strategic action plan for their coastal areas. With financial support of the Dutch government a Dutch-Bulgarian team is trying to transfer the approach to Bulgaria through the MyCOAST project. In this paper we will reflect on this project. We will first discuss the EU Recommendation to be followed by a specification of the integrated area approach. Although the integrated area approach is generally regarded a successful attempt to develop areas with competing land use claims or environmental problems, success is only guaranteed if several conditions are met. The MyCoast project should meet these conditions to enhance the changes of success. We will comment on the project approach and give an overview of the project activities and preliminary results. We finish this paper with some concluding remarks concerning the prospects of the MyCoast project

Comparig six Dutch climate change adaptation projects ; Towards successful joint knowledge production for climate change adaptation: lessons from six Dutch regional project

In the domain of climate change adaptation we see various efforts at joint knowledge production (JNP) through intensive cooperation between scientists, policymakers and other actors. Regional climate change adaptation projects in The Netherlands form prominent examples of this. In literature and in practice, claims have been made that joint knowledge production provides a useful way to reconcile supply and demand for knowledge. However, there is a lack of systematic empirical studies on how to successfully ‘do’ this. Existing research is restricted to conceptual analyses and fragmented empirical studies. This paper, on the contrary, aims to generate design principles. It does so by confronting a previously-developed assessment framework with empirical reality in six Dutch adaptation projects. Project documents were studied and 30 semi-structured interviews with researchers, policymakers and project financiers in the projects were held. Based on the comparison, the paper derives and elaborates upon two design principles for JNP. First, we have seen that the most successful projects managed to create some distance (a protected niche) for knowledge development, while at the same time establishing connections with ongoing policy processes. Successful JNP seems to be more likely in cases in which actors make a conscious decision for the institutional location of the project on the research-policy nexus, whereby the coordinating entity has some characteristics of a boundary organization. Second, specific resources, including facilities, boundary objects and specific competences increase the chance for success. In conclusion, the paper reflects on the external validity of the analysis and identifies next steps towards developing an empirical knowledge base for JNP.September 201

Blowin\u27 in the wind? Drivers and barriers for the uptake of wind propulsion in international shipping

Abstract International shipping transports around 90% of global commerce and is of major importance for the global economy. Whilst it is the most efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transport, CO2 emissions from shipping activities still account for an estimated 3% of global emissions. One means of significantly reducing fuel consumption and thereby GHG emissions from shipping are wind propulsion technologies (i.e. towing kites, Flettner rotors and sails) – yet current market uptake is very low. Therefore, the aim of this article is to identify the barriers and drivers for the uptake of wind propulsion technologies. To this end, the theoretical approach of technological innovation systems is adopted. This approach combines structural system components with so-called system functions which represent the dynamics underlying structural changes in the system. The fulfillment of these functions is considered important for the development and diffusion of innovations. Based on newspaper and academic articles, online expert interviews and semi-structured interviews, the level of function fulfillment is evaluated, followed by the identification of structural drivers and barriers influencing function fulfillment. Third, the possibilities to influence these drivers and barriers are discussed

Governance conditions for successful ecological restoration of estuaries : lessons from the Dutch Haringvliet case

Ecological restoration projects may provide solutions for degraded ecosystems in estuaries, but are challenging due to complex governance processes. Scientific studies on the latter are limited. The aim of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the governance process aiming at ecological restoration in estuaries. Based on a literature review, five success conditions for ecological restoration projects in estuaries were formulated. These conditions concern: (1) the presence of options for experimentation; (2) the use of the right communication strategies; (3) a pro-active role of key individuals; (4) sufficient project support; (5) active stakeholder and knowledge integration. These conditions were elaborated upon in a case study on the reopening of the sluices in the Dutch Haringvliet and by conducting seven expert interviews. The case study was a clear “example of failure” due to absence of several conditions. We conclude with some recommendations to enhance future ecological restoration projects