Rooted in the Community: Exploring Governance Capacity for Fostering Climate Adaptive Community Engagement in Nijkerk

Abstract

In response to the growing urgency of urban climate adaptation, local governments are increasingly called upon to engage communities in the design and implementation of climate- resilient initiatives. This research investigates the relationship between governance capacity and community engagement in local climate adaptation, using the Dutch municipality of Nijkerk as a case study. The main research question explores how governance capacity influences meaningful community engagement in climate adaptation planning and practice. The study employs a qualitative research strategy, which combines participatory observation, semi-structured interviews with municipal staff and community members, and policy document analysis. Findings show that governance capacity both enables and is reinforced by community engagement. While Nijkerk demonstrates a commitment to engaging communities for climate adaptive initiatives, challenges such as limited continuity and fragmented internal coordination hinder deeper engagement. Nonetheless, the presence of collaborative leadership and informal relationships between officials and residents fosters co-creation, especially at the neighborhood level. Moreover, engaged communities contribute local knowledge and legitimacy to climate policies, reinforcing the governance capacity for climate adaptation over time. This thesis contributes to both academic and practical debates by highlighting the interplay between governance capacity and community engagement. The findings that emerged from this research can be translated into policy recommendations for municipalities aiming to strengthen community engaged climate governance.