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Knowledge and Perceptions in Participatory Policy Processes: Lessons from the Delta-Region in the Netherlands

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  • Saskia Hommes
  • Joanne Vinke-de Kruijf
  • Henriëtte Otter
  • Geiske Bouma

Abstract

Water resources management issues tend to affect a variety of uses and users. Therefore, they often exhibit complex and unstructured problems. The complex, unstructured nature of these problems originates from uncertain knowledge and from the existence of divergent perceptions among various actors. Consequently, dealing with these problems is not just a knowledge problem; it is a problem of ambiguity too. This paper focuses on a complex, unstructured water resources management issue, the sustainable development—for ecology, economy and society—of the Delta-region of the Netherlands. In several areas in this region the ecological quality decreased due to hydraulic constructions for storm water safety, the Delta Works. To improve the ecological quality, the Dutch government regards the re-establishment of estuarine dynamics in the area as the most important solution. However, re-establishment of estuarine dynamics will affect other uses and other users. Among the affected users are farmers in the surrounding areas, who use freshwater from a lake for agricultural purposes. This problem has been addressed in a participatory decision-making process, which is used as a case study in this paper. We investigate how the dynamics in actors’ perceptions and the knowledge base contribute to the development of agreed upon and valid knowledge about the problem–solution combination, using our conceptual framework for problem structuring. We found that different knowledge sources—expert and practical knowledge—should be integrated to create a context-specific knowledge base, which is scientifically valid and socially robust. Furthermore, we conclude that for the convergence of actors’ perceptions, it is essential that actors learn about the content of the process (cognitive learning) and about the network in which they are involved (strategic learning). Our findings form a plea for practitioners in water resources management to adopt a problem structuring approach in order to deal explicitly with uncertainty and ambiguity. Copyright The Author(s) 2009

Suggested Citation

  • Saskia Hommes & Joanne Vinke-de Kruijf & Henriëtte Otter & Geiske Bouma, 2009. "Knowledge and Perceptions in Participatory Policy Processes: Lessons from the Delta-Region in the Netherlands," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 23(8), pages 1641-1663, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:23:y:2009:i:8:p:1641-1663
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-008-9345-6
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    2. J. J. Warmink & M. Brugnach & J. Vinke-de Kruijf & R. M. J. Schielen & D. C. M. Augustijn, 2017. "Coping with Uncertainty in River Management: Challenges and Ways Forward," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 31(14), pages 4587-4600, November.
    3. Jeroen A. Veraart & Rianne Duinen & Jan Vreke, 2017. "Evaluation of Socio-Economic Factors that Determine Adoption of Climate Compatible Freshwater Supply Measures at Farm Level: a Case Study in the Southwest Netherlands," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 31(2), pages 587-608, January.
    4. Klara Pigmans & Huib Aldewereld & Virginia Dignum & Neelke Doorn, 2019. "The Role of Value Deliberation to Improve Stakeholder Participation in Issues of Water Governance," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 33(12), pages 4067-4085, September.
    5. Solana-Gutiérrez, Joaquín & Rincón, Gonzalo & Alonso, Carlos & García-de-Jalón, Diego, 2017. "Using fuzzy cognitive maps for predicting river management responses: A case study of the Esla River basin, Spain," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 360(C), pages 260-269.
    6. Denie Augustijn & Marcel van den Berg & Erik de Bruine & Hans Korving, 2011. "Dynamic Control of Salt Intrusion in the Mark-Vliet River System, The Netherlands," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(3), pages 1005-1020, February.
    7. Arwin van Buuren & Jeroen Warner, 2014. "From Bypass to Bathtub: Backfiring Policy Labels in Dutch Water Governance," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 32(6), pages 1000-1016, December.
    8. Seungho Lee & Gye-Woon Choi, 2012. "Governance in a River Restoration Project in South Korea: The Case of Incheon," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(5), pages 1165-1182, March.
    9. Alba Mohedano Roldán, 2017. "Political Regime and Learning Outcomes of Stakeholder Participation: Cross-National Study of 81 Biosphere Reserves," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-15, April.
    10. Cecilia Tortajada & Yugal Joshi, 2013. "Water Demand Management in Singapore: Involving the Public," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(8), pages 2729-2746, June.

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