Brouwer, S., and F. Biermann. 2011. Towards adaptive management: examining the strategies of policy entrepreneurs in Dutch water management. Ecology Society 16(4): 5. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-04315-160405

The challenges of water, waste, and climate change in cities are overwhelming underpin the importance overcoming governance issues impeding adaptation. These "governance challenges" typically have fragmented scopes, viewpoints, responsibilities. As there many causes leading to this uncertainty disagreement, is no single best approach solve these challenges. In fact, what necessary iterative requires capacity find dynamic long-term solutions that supported by flexible interim targets, so as...

Despite the fact that mainstreaming of climate change into existing EU sectoral policies is a key aim, empirical knowledge how it works in practice remains scarce. With this paper we explore degree to which considerations are taken account implementation one most influential pieces European water legislation, Water Framework Directive and, more importantly, assess possible explanations for geographical variability levels observed. Our research based on an analysis both and local policy...

Despite the fact that citizen engagement in research is widely practised and regarded as one of keys to maximizing impact innovation, empirical evidence on value, potential possibilities engaging a broad diversity citizens practice scant. The purpose our article twofold: (1) provide more insight into value opportunities audiences typically are not engaged with science (2) explore effect targeted recruitment strategy versus generic profile, motivation retainment volunteers. Our based five...

This paper explores the value of involving citizens in generation knowledge drinking water research. To this end, significance ‘Freshness Water’ citizen science project on microbiological stability was analyzed, supplemented with a series expert interviews. In project, Amsterdam participated taking samples from their own kitchen tap and testing using test strips. The subsequent monitoring bacteria revealed that total number bacterial species all high. For participants, presence ten thousands...

In the context of an increasing societal demand for transparency in parallel with rapidly numbers and concentrations substances found drinking water, this paper investigates how different water customers perceive their tap quality, possible risks involved. Empirically, draws on results from a representative survey, series interviews focus groups conducted Netherlands, applying both traditional modern segmentation approach based four types perspectives (“aware committed”, “down to earth...

The governance dimensions of water reuse scheme development and operation, such as policies regulatory frameworks, public involvement stakeholder collaboration, can serve to both facilitate constrain wider adoption practices. This paper explores the significance underlying structure key challenges facing sector in Europe. It presents empirical evidence from interviews focus group sessions conducted at four schemes: an indirect potable Torreele (Belgium), urban treated municipal wastewater...

The OECD Principles on Water Governance aim to contribute good water governance. Learning and change through assessments are useful ways strengthen governance systems. This article presents a methodology for learning assessment based the principles. has been applied Dutch Flood Protection Programme. analysis revealed various functions of principles, from enhancing understanding reforming agenda, reflection informed action. Recommendations given how principles can be used come meaningful...

There is wide agreement about the importance of transdisciplinary research to address complex sustainability issues. Although there a growing body literature management programmes as well challenges relating collaboration between academic researchers and practitioners, empirical has date paid little attention related variation practitioners involved in these programmes. This paper presents comparative analysis three addressing climate change identifies factors that contribute fruitful...

A transition towards a transdisciplinary (TD) approach in science is increasingly called for, yet our understanding of how such transitions actually occur practice remains limited. This paper analyses Dutch water research programme from mono- to TD structure. The main findings the are first that efforts embed stimulated interaction between different scientific disciplines (interdisciplinarity), but some cases hampered integration non-academic knowledge and participation (co-creation)....

Abstract Given the growing interest among drinking water companies in customer ‘beyond meter’, generic accounts of ‘average user’ no longer suffice. Yet, segmentation on basis specific characteristics or behaviour seems to offer a limited explanatory value. Hence, there is an increasing need for more detailed empirical knowledge potential for, and significance of, subjective views preferences. To this end, paper not only explores different perspectives water, but also quantifies their...

Abstract The circular economy (CE) is an emerging system that moves away from the traditional linear view of “make, use, and dispose” to one restorative regenerative keep resources, such as water, at its highest value utility all times. Water essential CE due importance for human life because energy material it contains. However, move toward more water solutions accompanied by both technological social challenges which, this article argues, stakeholder participation learning are essential....

Innovative ways to manage the urban water cycle are required deal with an ageing drinking and waste infrastructure new societal imperatives. This paper examines influence of governance in enabling transformations technological innovation uptake management. A assessment framework is developed applied three case-studies, examining different scales types innovations used tackle challenges European The methodology combines documentary analysis interviews reconstruct historical storylines shift...

In response to droughts, various media campaigns and water-saving instructions are released. However, these often only have temporary water conservation effects. A promising development in this regard is Digital Water Meters (DWM), which can provide near real-time water-use feedback. Despite extensive DWM experience some water-stressed regions, a profound understanding of the initial attitude towards message-tailoring opportunities rarely empirically explored. This study aims obtain insights...

The importance of stakeholder engagement in asset management is widely accepted and emphasised. Nonetheless, practice, still often applied an unsystematised ad hoc manner. By proposing a framework considerations for the deliberate design engagement, this study aims to contribute realisation integrated by offering means explicate implicit regarding engagement. providing conceptual exploration, as well analysis three cases Netherlands, article provides building blocks guided consideration...

Despite the often emphasized importance of water awareness, and notwithstanding fact that calls for increasing public awareness are becoming commonplace, most studies do not define concept, let alone operationalise it into measurable units. This is, however, essential to measure evaluate efforts related such as campaigns, customer communication behavioural interventions. To address this gap, we conceptualise, assess tap hereby differentiating between cognitive (head), affectional (heart),...