Introducing the Prism-concept: A strategy to boost the effectiveness of River Management Planning

Abstract

Though in the best interest for the general purpose, the realization of public works goes hand in hand with difficult implementation processes. These difficulties often stem from the fact that the implementation of measures is associated with a demand for land that is not owned by the initiators. A situation that leads to opposition by the land users and will result into difficult implementation processes. "Space for the River"-projects are no exception on this. Although legalized by the Flood Management Directive (2007/60/EC) and legitimized by flood events in several parts of Europe (2013), actors are not eager to cooperate with the initiated measures. In this research project it is stated that difficulties are caused by the fact that not always the right path of communication towards the actors is followed. To that extent the actors are not seen as a homogeneous group, but rather as individuals who have certain rationalities (plurality). The assumption is made that a deliberated communication approach could gain on the effectiveness of the implementation process. The analytical framework of Cultural Theory, by Schwarz & Thompson (1990), is seen as an explanation for the phenomenon and as a platform for testing the assumption made. In order to give rise to the river management planning process a conceptual model based on Cultural Theory is developed; this model is called the “Prism-concept”. This thesis elaborates on the research strategy and methods of an experimental setup that firstly should be able to demonstrate the influence of Cultural theory during the river management planning process, and secondly prove that a consensual approach − to hook on different actor rationalities – will utterly be an improvement for the planning process.