Abstract
Although social learning is a key element of multilevel flood risk governance, it is hardly studied. This paper addresses this knowledge gap. The paper aims to identify enabling conditions for social learning in multilevel flood risks governance arrangements. We first conceptualize social learning and draw up a conceptual framework consisting of enabling conditions for social learning, using the literature on adaptive co-management, sustainable land and water management, and integrated flood risk management. Next, we apply this framework to analyze social learning in the context of the Dutch Room for the River program. Our interview results reveal that social learning about integrated flood protection measures took place at multiple levels. We found that a strong personal commitment to learning and mutual interpersonal trust in working groups are key conditions for successful social learning. Based on our analysis, we conclude with some recommendations for enhancing social learning processes in future flood protection programs.
Highlights
Population growth and increased socioeconomic activity in floodplains, combined with more recent effects of climate change, are important factors in the increase of flood risks [1,2]
‘fighting against water’ to flood risk management and ‘living with water’ [3,4]. This shift in flood protection measures over the last decades is known as integrated flood risk management (IFRM) and is increasingly adopted as the basis for a number of flood protection programs, e.g. in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and other countries [5,6,7]
This paper aimed to identify enabling conditions for social learning in multilevel flood risk governance
Summary
Population growth and increased socioeconomic activity in floodplains, combined with more recent effects of climate change, are important factors in the increase of flood risks [1,2]. A gradual shift is visible in flood management across a number of countries: from flood defense based on ‘fighting against water’ to flood risk management and ‘living with water’ [3,4]. This shift in flood protection measures over the last decades is known as integrated flood risk management (IFRM) and is increasingly adopted as the basis for a number of flood protection programs, e.g. in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and other countries [5,6,7]. IFRM can be seen as a multilevel and multistakeholder governance practice [12,13,14]
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