Crossing trails in the marshes: rigidity and flexibility in the governance of the Danube Delta

Abstract

In this paper, we revisit the utility of the concepts of path dependence and interdependence for the analysis of participatory environmental governance. We investigate the evolution of environmental governance in the Romanian Danube delta, and, starting from an observation of problematic citizen participation, demonstrate how specific patterns of path-and interdependence shaped both the present situation and the reform options. For the delta, it is argued that direct citizen participation, without working on other institutions, would not solve the problems observed, but would rather reinforce unwanted informal institutions (cf Ledeneva, 2005). Theoretically, we utilize a combination of path dependence theory and social systems theory, allowing for a grasp of both rigidity and flexibility in the evolution of governance systems. Empirically, expert and lay interviews, long term observation, and a analyses of policy documents underpin our analyses.

Stakeholder analysis in a protected natural park: case study from Slovenia

“…Stakeholder dynamics must not be neglected (Billgren and Holm en 2008;Reed et al 2009;Neville, Bell, and Whitwell 2011;Van Assche et al 2011). The estimates of their attributes may change with time if the project circumstances change.…”

“…The methods of including all the key stakeholders in the management would be too time-consuming and too demanding. The local population wants to influence the park designation and management, but mainly in a passive manner, and therefore direct participation is not the best option (Van Assche et al 2011). An alternative is collaboration with representatives of the local population, especially in the later management stages.…”

Power and Contingency in Planning

“…Certain actors identify with certain discourses, either scientific or otherwise, and in other cases they deploy them to maintain or improve their position in the system [see, eg, Hoch (1992), but, again, Friedmann (1998 (Van Assche et al, 2011). Changes in society affect directly or indirectly the forms o f knowledge that can play out within the planning system, either adopted by actors in the system, or by adding and removing actors (Gunder, 2010;Hardy, 1991;Kieman, 1983).…”

Tbilisi reinvented: planning, development and the unfinished project of democracy in Georgia

“…Just as there is no single or ideal form of democracy or market, 28 there is more than one configuration of law, politics and economy under the heading 'democracy', and, consequently, more than one possible role for planning in coordinating spatial development. 29 Reconstructing local pathways then becomes an irreplaceable part of the analysis of planning and development 30 (cf. also Shaw 31 ).…”