| dc.description.abstract | Extreme rainfall events can lead to enormous economic damage on real estate in densely built-up areas of cities. On July 28th, 2014, Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden (HDSR) experienced problems caused by an extreme rainfall event in Kockengen, a small village in the province of Utrecht. Such an event in the densely populated city of Utrecht could cause severe problems.
The situation of Kockengen has been an eye-opener to HDSR, which led to a certain sense of urgency. The problem of extreme rainfall events can be counteracted by implementing blue-green adaptation measures. These measures must be implemented by various stakeholders and this requires adequate governance. Therefore, a research project is started based on the following research question:
To which extent is there adequate water governance concerning the implementation of blue-green adaptation measures by stakeholders in order to cope with extreme rainfall events in the Utrecht area?
In order to answer this research question, data was gathered by performing an in-depth case-study, including desk research, interviews with respondents of stakeholders and participative observations during meetings. Furthermore, an extensive consultation of experts in the field of water management, especially the efficiency of policy instruments, has been conducted.
I first concluded that in the Utrecht area, there is a higher risk on calamities caused by extreme rainfall events in the future. Subsequently, I found that according to the consulted experts, the most efficient blue-green adaptation measures are: water storage in green areas; wadi’s; water infiltrating green areas; open gutters to surface water or green areas; polder roofs; green roofs; and raise doorsteps, thresholds in front of houses, garages and parking-lots. Furthermore, it was concluded that the responsibilities to execute blue-green adaptation measures rest with the municipality of Utrecht and the citizens. The other stakeholders, namely central government, Province of Utrecht, Water Board HDSR, CRA and Winnet, have a facilitating, stimulating, regulatory and/or informative role. This means that these stakeholders are dependent on the municipality of Utrecht and/or citizens with respect to the execution of blue-green adaptation measures.
Next, the adequateness of water governance in the Utrecht area was analysed on the basis of an evaluation framework which consists of structure, management and policy requirements. There were strong and weak points observed on all domains (structure, management and policy). These weak points in governance are considered so-called ‘governance barriers’ for the successful implementation of blue-green adaptation measures. An important governance barrier is the absence of a regional body which possesses formal decision-making power to implement blue-green adaptation measures concerning extreme rainfall events.
Besides governance barriers, there are also other barriers that hamper the implementation of blue- green adaptation measures. The public space is limited and it will therefore be necessary to consider how to use it. The application of blue-green adaptation measures is sometimes at the expense of other options for spatial development. Furthermore, the budgets from the Province of Utrecht, Water Board HDSR and the municipality of Utrecht allocated for blue-green adaptation measures can not be utilized for other public services.
To overcome these barriers it is recommended, among others, to present blue-green adaptation measures in such a way that it becomes clear that these measures not only prevent damage due to extreme rainfall events, but also contribute to other public interests, such as reducing heat stress and air pollution and improving biodiversity. | |
