Stakeholder initiatives in flood risk management: exploring the role and impact of bottom-up initiatives in three ‘Room for the River’ projects in the Netherlands

Abstract

In recent years stakeholder participation has become a popular topic in flood management. Little is known about how and under which circumstances local stakeholders initiate and develop successful flood management strategies and how governmental actors respond to them. Drawing on theories of social movements, stakeholder participation, and citizenship, this paper analyses how local stakeholder initiatives in the Dutch 'Room for the River' programme evolve and, in turn, influence such governmental plans and actions. The description and comparative analysis of the three cases leads to three conclusions: first, in all cases, forms of local selforganization play a role, but its impacts are highly dependent on the mix of strategies chosen. Second, forms of coproduction between local stakeholders and government actors are the most viable strategy to realize the positive impact of local initiatives. Third, government agencies tend to react to local initiatives defensively. Much depends on timing and connecting to the right people.

From citizen participation to government participation: An exploration of the roles of local governments in community initiatives for climate change adaptation in the Netherlands

“…In this case, the government participates in community initiatives that are predominantly led by citizens and other nonstate actors, who independently develop their own solutions and projects to a policy problem (Edelenbos, Van Buuren, Roth, & Winnubst, 2017). In this case, the government participates in community initiatives that are predominantly led by citizens and other nonstate actors, who independently develop their own solutions and projects to a policy problem (Edelenbos, Van Buuren, Roth, & Winnubst, 2017).…”

“…staff of the municipal organisation is that, in some cases, they feel threatened by them (Edelenbos et al, 2017). Some practitioners expressed that they miss an additional rung on the ladder, ie, a "cooperating" role.…”

The Roles of Residents in Climate Adaptation: A systematic review in the case of the Netherlands

“…Decentralized governance provides more room for stakeholder involvement and for the consideration of issue‐, time‐and‐place‐specific knowledge, as well as more generic expert knowledge (Driessen et al , ). However, for governmental actors to improve their orientation on citizens regarding adaptation, it will probably also be necessary to engage more in interactive governance (as suggested also by Edelenbos et al , and Mees, ), in which centralized or decentralized governments are not the only initiating actors. This may imply that residents get a more equal role vis‐à‐vis governmental actors.…”

“…To a large degree, these activities will be bottom‐up forms of self‐governance which by definition are not orchestrated by governmental actors. An adaptive and receptive stance towards such initiatives is necessary (Edelenbos et al , ) and governmental actors may facilitate them by establishing knowledge‐sharing dialogues to stimulate social learning, deliberations and negotiations (Driessen et al , ; Wamsler, ); schooling and other forms of capacity development; and allowing for experimentation by providing legal exemptions or financial support (Schot and Geels, ; Wamsler, ).…”

Government facilitation of external initiatives: how Dutch water authorities cope with value dilemmas

“…Recently, however, water authorities have started to explore new, more encompassing forms of working with non-governmental actors (Edelenbos, Van Buuren, Roth, & Winnubst, 2017). They advocate the self-organization of stakeholders and encourage non-governmental actors to take more responsibility for flood risk management, for example (Johnson & Priest, 2008;Nye, Tapsell, & Twigger-Ross, 2011;Watson, Deeming, & Treffny, 2009).…”