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Between adaptability and the urge to control: making long-term water policies in the Netherlands

Author

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  • Britta Restemeyer
  • Margo van den Brink
  • Johan Woltjer

Abstract

Triggered by recent flood catastrophes and increasing concerns about climate change, scientists as well as policy-makers increasingly call for making long-term water policies to enable a transformation towards flood resilience. A key question is how to make these long-term policies adaptive so that they are able to deal with uncertainties and changing circumstances. The paper proposes three conditions for making long-term water policies adaptive, which are then used to evaluate a new Dutch water policy approach called ‘Adaptive Delta Management’. Analysing this national policy approach and its translation to the Rotterdam region reveals that Dutch policy-makers are torn between adaptability and the urge to control. Reflecting on this dilemma, the paper suggests a stronger focus on monitoring and learning to strengthen the adaptability of long-term water policies. Moreover, increasing the adaptive capacity of society also requires a stronger engagement with local stakeholders including citizens and businesses.

Suggested Citation

  • Britta Restemeyer & Margo van den Brink & Johan Woltjer, 2017. "Between adaptability and the urge to control: making long-term water policies in the Netherlands," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 60(5), pages 920-940, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jenpmg:v:60:y:2017:i:5:p:920-940
    DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2016.1189403
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    Cited by:

    1. Peng Wang & Yabo Li & Yuhu Zhang, 2021. "An urban system perspective on urban flood resilience using SEM: evidence from Nanjing city, China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 109(3), pages 2575-2599, December.
    2. Hans Kamperman & Robbert Biesbroek, 2017. "Measuring Progress on Climate Change Adaptation Policy by Dutch Water Boards," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 31(14), pages 4557-4570, November.

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