http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/6218/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/21260/ 2010-10-11T00:00:00Z Different strategy positions are possible with regard to new urban water infrastructural investments. A relatively new position argues that new water infrastructure needs to be linked to ongoing urban developments. This article investigates how the urban water management organizations in Rotterdam developed its climate adaptation strategy by creating urban development strategies that are sensitive to water issues. A crucial factor was the recognition that water could contribute to solving urban problems by upgrading neighbourhood quality. In this case study, a multi-level analysis is used to reconstruct the urban water management cascade, that is, the turns in thinking made by the Rotterdam water professionals, leading to this new approach. In particular the interactions between the envisioning project Rotterdam Water City 2035 and the broader policy context in this cascade together with how they were managed strategically are investigated. This research indicates that the Rotterdam urban water management organizations realized a successful water policy innovation; however, the institutional mechanisms needed to realize, operate and maintain the proposed multi-stakeholder projects on a city-wide scale are still missing. This is currently the major challenge for realizing climate adaptation in terms of water sensitive urban development. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/16186/ 2009-07-03T00:00:00Z The main objective of this dissertation is to generate more insight into the dynamics of sustainability transitions, more specifically it deals with the question of which kind of social structures are changing during a transition and how these transformative changes come about. Using insights from resilience theory and social theories, this research indicates that in order to understand and explain transitions we should shift our attention towards the regime concept. The regime is often treated as a black box, not explicitly clarifying which elements constitute the regime nor addressing the internal dynamics. The regime conceptualization suggested in this dissertation is a first step into this direction. A new transition analysis approach is developed which enables researchers to analyze which regime structures are changing during a transition and how these changes come about (i.e. the underlying transformation patterns). The research presents an in-depth analysis of the dynamics of the transition of Dutch water management, starting around the 1970s and is still unfolding towards a new regime adapting to and anticipating climate change. Our analysis suggests that niches and the regimes may be more cooperative than suggested in the literature and that even the regime is actively involved in creating niches. The regime creates niches through the formation of new structures. The niche initiates transformation leading to new regime structures, which in turn trigger niches. Scientifically, this dissertation triggers intriguing questions as to when societal change may be classified as transition. Practically, it provides leverages for systems analysis and transition management. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/37234/ 2008-06-01T00:00:00Z A fundamental transformation of our current energy system in the future is inevitable. To this end, this paper presents a 'fresh' perspective on the Dutch energy field based on transition theory. From this perspective, a number of starting points are suggested for energy transition management in order to influence the speed and direction of the energy transition. In the second part of this paper, these principles are used to reflect upon the way the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs is currently applying transition management. As such, this paper itself is part of the ongoing co-production of knowledge between science and policy, that emerged over the past few years in the Netherlands with regard to transition management. Copyright http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/8047/ 2006-10-31T00:00:00Z Global change fundamentally changes the nature of water-related problems. We will illustrate this by showing how perceptions of the water-problems in the Netherlands have shifted in the past four decades. The nature of water-related problems changed from a technical problem’ to a so-called ‘persistent’ problem, characterized by plurality, uncertainty and complexity. Although integrated water resource management (IWRM) has been advocated to cope with this type of problem, the complexity of the transition process towards such a water management regime is often underestimated. Therefore, transition management is needed in the water sector. Transition management theory is presented and applied to the Dutch case. Transition management strategies are suggested that would reinforce this transition. Comparison between the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) and transition management indicates that the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) in its current form is not sufficiently stimulating an innovation climate. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/7770/ 2006-06-02T00:00:00Z Over the past decades the Dutch people have been confronted with severe waterrelated problems, which are the result of an unsustainable water system, arising from human interventions in the physical infrastructure of the water system and the water management style. The claims of housing, industry, infrastructure and agriculture have resulted in increasing pressure on the water system. The continuous subsidence of soil and climate change has put pressure on the land. Hence, the nature and magnitude of water-related problems have changed. Longitudinal research of relevant national policy documents reveals that the water management regime has changed its water management style over the past thirty years from a technocratic scientific style towards an integral and participatory style. We have investigated if the historical development in Dutch Water management can be characterized as a transition. Based on longitudinal research through an integrated systems analysis, document research and expert interviews, we have reconstructed the historical narrative by using the transition concepts of multi-level and multi-phase. This research indicates that the shift in Dutch Water management can be characterized as a transition. This transition is currently in the take-off stage and near the acceleration stage. This is a crucial stage as long as the considerable differences between the strategic macro-vision and the practical implementation at the micro-level remains. As long as these levels are not compatible (modulation), the transition will not be completed successfully. Transition management as multi-level governance model should therefore be adopted to facilitate the modulation. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/7631/ 2006-03-24T00:00:00Z This article presents a promising governance framework for 'persistent societal problems', based on the concept of transition management. This framework is based on the common notions from complexity theory and new forms of governance, that are folded into a new management paradigm. This management paradigm starts from complexity and uncertainty as drivers of societal innovation, not as obstacles that have to be fully controlled. Essential feature of transition management is the explicit coupling of content and process. The analysis (based on the presented analytical concepts) determines the transition management process: the management possibilities and instruments that are employed with regard to the presented management framework. The framework entails goals, activities, instruments and competences for the strategic, tactical and operational level. Which activities and actors are being involved depends on the phase of the transition.