Transforming Urban Water Governance in Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Abstract

The reality of water-related challenges has led to calls to adapt urban water governance to integrated, inclusive and adaptive approaches that facilitate learning and innovation for sustainable and resilient cities. However, there is a gap in knowledge about the conditions that manifest in such water governance, and how to create such conditions to overcome the barriers entrenched in existing urban water governance regimes. We apply the framework of transformative governance capacities to explain how, and by whom, new conditions for sustainable and resilient urban water governance are developing in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Our analysis allows us to identify key characteristics and enabling conditions, opportunities and barriers for sustainable and resilient water governance in Rotterdam, which crosses multiple policy sectors and domains, involves a variety of actors and facilitates innovative solutions. A key challenge is to connect the ambitious strategic goals and agendas with ongoing urban planning and policy paradigms.