Title
Stakeholder participation in the distribution of freshwater in the Netherlands
Author
Vinke-de Kruijf, J.
Hommes, S.
Bouma, G.
Publication year
2010
Abstract
It is widely recognized that integrated approaches are required to manage our limited water resources in an effective and sustainable manner. In the Netherlands, this is mostly realized by organizing integrated spatial development processes. This paper presents a discussion in which the distribution of freshwater is integrated with spatial development in the southwestern Delta in the Netherlands. This discussion is characterized by uncertainty in knowledge and stakeholders with diverging perceptions. By actively involving these stakeholders in a process of problem structuring, it was possible to reach an agreement on the preferred direction for solutions. Problem-structuring involves that stakeholders actively participate in formulating the problem and its solutions. It is characterized by interaction between stakeholders and the integration of expert knowledge and stakeholder knowledge. Based on these practical experiences, we conclude that putting integrated water management into practice benefits from a problem-structuring approach. This enhances learning processes and contributes to the development of an agreed upon and valid knowledge base. As the context of such processes is highly dynamic, there is a need for transparent and adaptive process management. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.
Subject
Society
IE - Innovation & Environment
BSS - Behavioural and Societal Sciences
Urban Development
Planology
Built Environment
Agriculture
Case study
Freshwater
Negotiated knowledge
Problem structuring
Water management
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:eb190175-33d9-4503-991e-f8ab4717076b
TNO identifier
464567
ISSN
0168-6291
Source
Irrigation and Drainage Systems, 24 (3-4), 249-263
Document type
article