Introduction
1.4 Structure of thesis, list of papers and contribution of the author
This thesis is comprised of eight chapters. Chapter 1 comprises this introduction. Chapters 2-4 analyse governance strategies for IFRM projects to deliver integrated outputs. Chapter 5 and 6 analyse how projects can contribute to a transition to IFRM. Chapter 7 combines delivery and transition through learning outcomes as part of adaptive co-management. Chapter 8 provides answers to the overarching research questions as presented in this chapter.
The body of this thesis (Chapters 2-7) consists of six papers that are under review, in press, or have already appeared in peer-reviewed journals. The intention of each paper is that it is sufficiently self-contained, so as to be understandable without recourse to the other papers. As a result, there is some overlap in content between the various papers, particularly regarding the introductions, the approaches and methods used and in some cases results are repeated. Table 1.5 lists the chapters and the related scientific papers. The scope of the chapters will be described in more detail below.
Table 1.5. The chapters of this thesis and the related papers
Chapter Paper Reference
2 Van Herk, S., Zevenbergen, C., Rijke, J., Ashley, R., (2011) Learning and Action Alliances for the integration of flood risk management into urban planning: a new framework from empirical evidence from The Netherlands. Environ. Sci. Policy, 14, 543- 554
3 Van Herk, S., Zevenbergen, C., Gersonius, B., Waals H., Kelder, E.T.G. (2013) Process design and management for integrated flood risk management: exploring the Multi Level Safety approach for Dordrecht, the Netherlands. Netherlands. Journal of Water and Climate
Change, doi: 10.2166/wcc.2013.171
4 Van Herk, S., Rijke, J., Zevenbergen, C., Ashley, R., (under review) Attributes for integrated Flood Risk Management projects; case study Room for the River. Under review at: International journal of River Basin Management
5 Van Herk, S., Zevenbergen, C., Rijke, J., Ashley, R. (2011). Collaborative research to support transition towards integrating flood risk management in urban development,
Journal of Flood Risk Management, Volume 4, Issue 4, December 2011, Pages: 306–317
6 Van Herk, S., Rijke, J., Zevenbergen, C., Ashley, R., (2013) Understanding the transition to integrated flood risk management in the Netherlands. Journal of Environmental Innovations
and Societal Transitions (EIST),doi: 10.1016/j.eist.2013.11.001
7 Van Herk, S., Rijke, J., Zevenbergen, C., Ashley, R., Besseling, B. (in press) Adaptive co- management and network learning in the Room for the River programme. Journal of
Environmental Planning & Management.doi: 10.1080/09640568.2013.873364
Introduction
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research design; execution of the data collection and data analysis; interpretation of results; and the preparation and submission of the paper. Co-authors have contributed to these papers through the data collection (notably Mr. J. Rijke for the RftR case study and related papers) and through the critical revision of draft papers (notably Mr. C. Zevenbergen and Mr. R. Ashley). 15 other scientific papers have been produced with varying types of contributions of the author of this thesis during his PhD research, but have not been included in this thesis (See Section 9, References): Koukoui et al, 2013, Rijke et al., 2012a; 2012b; in press; under review; Zevenbergen et al. 2008a; 2008b; 2013a; 2013b; Dudley et al., 2013, Van Herk et al., 2013c; 2012a; 2012b; Gersonius et al., 2007; Waals et al., 2011.
Chapter 2 presents the case studies Stadswerven and Westflank. It presents a social learning framework, Learning and Action Alliance, to support collaborative planning and integrated flood risk management. The framework comprises 3 types of joint activities: system analysis; collaborative design; and governance. These supported demonstration projects through 3 threads by: establishing facts; creating images; and setting ambitions. This was done via 3 streams by: addressing problems; developing solutions; and influencing politics. The new framework has been demonstrated to provide an effective guide and new analytical tool to the organisation of a LAA and collaborative planning process for IFRM.
Chapter 3 presents the case study Island of Dordrecht where the new multi-layer- safety (MLS) approach has been applied in the context of the Delta Programme. MLS comprises 3 flood safety layers to reduce flood risk: flood protection; spatial planning; and emergency response. The definition of IFRM is further refined. And the developed framework for process design and management (from Chapter 2) has been used and evaluates whether or not the collaborative planning process led to an IFRM plan. The framework has been shown to be effective in the delivery of an IFRM plan; it has been enriched by defining the interfaces between and phasing of planning activities; and can be further improved to better guide implementation and governance activities.
Chapter 4 uses the definition of IFRM of Chapter 3 and the framework of Chapter 2 to analyse the Room for the River (RftR) case study. It devises attributes of effective investment projects in developing and implementing IFRM. Two types of attributes emerged: those that directly foster IFRM processes and outputs and those that enable the implementation of IFRM projects in practice. They can be instrumental in designing future research on IFRM and support the development of integrated plans as well as their implementation in practice
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through IFRM projects.
Chapter 5 goes back to the Stadswerven case study and the Urban Flood Management collaborative research project that supported the Stadswerven development project to study its contribution to a transition to IFRM. It demonstrates that the process of research, if collaborative, can contribute to the better integration of flood risk in urban planning. Collaborative research can support demonstration projects and their wider uptake, as well as policy development and subsequently a transition to integrated flood risk management. It also provides greater freedom to use different approaches, consider a broader range of problems and solutions, bring stakeholders together and facilitate capacity building. This paper calls for collaborative research that facilitates social learning and is impact focussed, preferably supporting innovative demonstration projects.
Chapter 6 studies the outcomes generated by the RftR programme that have an impact beyond the scope of the programme and that are sustained after the delivery of the programme. The Multi-Pattern Approach (MPA) has been applied for the first time to understand the dynamics of the transition to integrated flood risk management in the Netherlands. The detailed analysis of the outcomes of RftR provided in-depth evidence of how the transition occurred in practice. Lessons have been drawn to enrich the MPA that can help the further development and application of the MPA framework. A tentative application of MPA and extrapolation of lessons from RftR provides insights for policy makers and transition scientists to monitor the yet unknown outcomes that the new Delta Programme will have to generate to overcome new transition conditions and shaping a new chain of transition patterns.
Chapter 7 used the RftR case study to increase understanding on how learning takes place and can be stimulated within a programme. It shows that a programme is a versatile governance arrangement to embed a wide range of strategies for learning and adaptive co-management, whilst delivering environmental objectives.
Chapter 8 combines the results of this thesis to answer the research questions that, in Chapter 1, were derived from the general objective. The conclusions subsequently define IFRM and frame the governance challenges; and deduce lessons on how to organise for IFRM and attributes to foster and implement IFRM projects. It reflects on existing scientific theories and this thesis’ contribution.