Public participation is increasingly central to infrastructure planning in the Netherlands, evolving from consultation to integrated governance (Alpkokin, 2012; Bobbio, 2019). The Environmental Act, introduced in 2024, aims to simplify regulation, promote early stakeholder involvement, and enable local customization in spatial development (T. Kamer der Staten-Generaal, 2013a). By embedding participation into law, it seeks to improve decision-making quality, increase support, and reduce objections.

This shift reframes participation as a shared task between governments, contractors, and citizens. Contractors now operate within a governance model that emphasizes trust, flexibility, and societal value (Verweij et al., 2022). Their responsibilities in stakeholder engagement and environmental coordination are expanding, particularly during project realization. However, while early-phase participation has been widely studied, its role during the realization phase remains underexplored.
The main research question: How does the Environmental Act impact public participation during the realization phase of infrastructure projects, particularly for contractors?
To answer this, a qualitative design was used, combining a literature review, exploratory interviews, three case studies and an expert evaluation.

The findings show that the Act has not yet transformed participation during the realization phase. Participation remains largely procedural, focused on communication and compliance, with limited opportunities for stakeholder influence. Contractors often join after key decisions have been made, reinforcing an instrumental use of participation, more about risk management than co-creation.
While the contractor’s role is evolving, constraints such as late involvement, fixed contracts, limited resources, and unclear mandates hinder meaningful participation. Changes are mostly seen at the level of procedures and reporting (second-order governance), whereas deeper institutional shifts, trust, shared values, and clear role divisions (third-order governance) are lacking.
To bridge this gap, several improvements are needed: earlier contractor involvement, better role clarity, and flexible contract models that allow for participatory adaptation. Without such reforms, participation risks remaining symbolic. Contractors stepping into public roles must also embrace the societal value of participation—focusing not just on compliance, but on legitimacy, inclusiveness, and sustainability.
Limitations include the recent implementation of the Act, limiting observation to short-term expectations. The small number of cases reduces generalizability, and citizen perspectives are underrepresented. In addition, ambiguity in the definition of “participation” and variation in procurement practices create challenges in interpretation and execution.
In conclusion, the Environmental Act represents a symbolic but conditional shift. Its real potential depends on institutional alignment and a proactive, shared commitment to participation. For contractors, this means investing in stakeholder skills, integrating participation into planning, and engaging early with clients. Public authorities, in turn, must enable this by offering flexible procurement structures and clear accountability frameworks.
Future research should explore: long-term behavioural change, contractor adaptation, contract impacts on participation quality, and ways to reduce bureaucratisation without compromising participatory value.

This thesis investigates how the management of interdependencies between the client and the contractor can enhance risk mitigation strategies in complex construction projects. In practice, many risks do not originate from isolated technical failures, but from misaligned responsibilities, conflicting goals, and a lack of coordination between project stakeholders. These interdependencies influence how decisions are made, how risks propagate, and how effective mitigation strategies ultimately are. While traditional risk management approaches focus on identification and responsing on risks, they often overlook the systemic nature of interdependencies that shape project outcomes.

To address this gap, the research combines two theoretical models to develop a structured framework. The TOE framework is used to categorise the cause and manifestation of complexity into technical, organisational, and external sources, while Perrow’s Normal Accident Theory is applied to assess the level of coupling and interaction between these components. This dual approach allows for a detailed analysis of how different types of interdependencies affect risk exposure and governance needs.

The framework is applied in two completed infrastructure projects through a mixed-methods approach, combining cash flow analysis, project documentation review, and semi-structured interviews. Six key events were identified and analysed to assess how interdependencies were managed in practice and which governance structures were applied.

The findings show that clients typically rely on centralised governance structures focused on control and compliance, whereas contractors operate in more dynamic conditions that require flexible, decentralised responses. This structural misalignment often leads to delays, decision-making bottlenecks, and reactive risk management. Although hybrid governance was not explicitly implemented in the studied cases, the analysis suggests that such an approach could offer a promising solution. By combining strategic oversight with operational flexibility, hybrid governance would allow both parties to respond more effectively to complexity, better align their roles and responsibilities, and improve the overall quality of risk mitigation.

The thesis concludes that aligning governance models with the specific interdependency profile of a project leads to better risk management. It recommends early joint classification of interdependencies, broader stakeholder involvement in decision-making, and the use of trust-based mechanisms to complement contractual controls. These strategies can help project teams respond more effectively to complexity, interdependency and improve overall project performance.

The Netherlands faces an urgent environmental and infrastructural challenge in phasing out natural gas amidst rising grid congestion. District heating systems offer a promising alternative by enabling the collective use of sustainable heat sources, stabilising the electricity grid, and increasing resilience to market shocks. However, despite national ambitions to expand DH networks by half a million new connections by 2030, the sector is currently in decline, hindered by regulatory uncertainties, market volatility, and the voluntary nature of participation. Against this backdrop, this research investigates the conditions that define successful collaboration in the development and operation of district heating networks. Grounded in collaborative governance and purpose-oriented network theory, the study adopts a qualitative, multiple-case design. An analytical framework was developed by combining Ansell and Gash’s model of collaborative governance with Berthod’s processual view of network dynamics. This framework was applied to three Dutch DH cases involving municipal, private, and end-user actors. Data collection included a literature review, 13 semi-structured interviews across the case studies, and 4 expert interviews. The analysis explored stakeholder roles, phases of collaboration, key success factors, and process tensions that shaped outcomes.

The findings reveal that successful collaboration is not a static state but a dynamic process extending from network initiation to exploitation. A central contribution of this study is the definition of a meta-condition for collaboration: individual goals serve as preconditions, while the shared goal acts as a catalyst. This meta-condition helps explain both successful cases and the sector-wide stagnation, where misalignment of individual goals undermines collaboration, despite consensus on shared objectives. Three consistent key success factors emerged across cases: goal alignment, trust, and commitment. Furthermore, nine process tensions, such as inclusivity versus efficiency, or autonomy versus interdependence, were identified as levers for improving collaboration when recognised and managed early. To support this, the study introduces a practical tool: a set of discussion cards for early-phase project dialogue. Expert evaluation confirmed the tool’s conceptual value.

Theoretically, this study contributes to the understanding of tensions as dynamic mechanisms rather than static barriers and advances the literature on collaborative governance by highlighting the evolving nature of stakeholder goals. The findings are most applicable to Dutch single-system district heating systems involving public-private collaboration and municipal engagement. While limitations include survival bias and national context specificity, the research lays a foundation for future investigations into failed projects, longitudinal dynamics, and cross-country comparisons. By demonstrating how tensions can be purposefully addressed through proactive design, this study repositions tension management as a practical strategy for strengthening collaboration in the Dutch energy transition.

The construction industry, known for its multifaceted operations and inherent complexities, has long sought ways to enhance efficiency, reduce waste and ensure timely project delivery. Risk management (RM) is crucial in preventing unexpected events and keeping projects on track, but current RM practices often fall short, leading to disruptions, inefficient resource use, safety issues, financial setbacks, and time overruns. These issues undermine the purpose of RM and jeopardize projects. Meanwhile, lean construction, grounded in lean thinking, offers a promising solution by identifying and minimizing constraints and inefficiencies. The goals of lean management, like waste reduction and value optimization, align well with RM, which focuses on identifying and mitigating threats to project success. Although there has been extensive research on lean management and RM as separate entities in construction and evidence of their integration in other sectors, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding their intersection in construction. This presents a research opportunity to explore how integrating lean management with RM strategies can improve project outcomes.
This research explores how lean tools can improve RM in the construction industry to enhance the ability of construction organizations to anticipate, mitigate, and respond to risks. It does so by analyzing the RM process to identify gaps and deficiencies in existing knowledge and practices. It then examines the nature and potential of lean tools to address these deficiencies.
The aim of this research is to understand the common issues in construction RM and highlight the potential for integrating lean tools into the RM process to achieve more resilient and efficient operations in the construction sector.
The result of the research is a conceptual lean RM framework, developed based on issues identified in the literature and supported by practical evidence, along with an analysis of lean construction tools and their potential to address chosen RM challenges. The framework spans the tender, planning, development, and construction phases. In addition to the framework, the approach to its application is outlined, including potential short-term and long-term benefits, inherent limitations, and potential integration challenges. The framework’s potential application environment is conceptually explored, and recommendations are offered for construction companies, standard developers, prospective users of the framework and future research efforts.

The environmental impact of the construction industry has left its mark on today’s society over the last decades, also in the Netherlands. In addition, the Dutch construction industry faces a major challenge in the replacement and renovation (V&R) task of the current infrastructure. Among others, many viaducts will be at the end of their functional lifespan. A transition to a closed resource loop along with the V&R task provides the Dutch construction industry an opportunity to extent the lifespan of elements and objects of end-of-life viaducts and reuse them in new viaducts while reducing the resource flow and its environmental impact. Although many circular initiatives and practices have been researched and developed by companies, there are still certain barriers that prevent the application of them to realise circular viaducts. The objective of this research is to identify the existing barriers that hinder a closed resource loop to enable circular viaducts in the construction industry and contribute to the circular transition.

The main barrier of circular innovations in the construction industry is the balance between supply (availability of materials) and demand (circular requirements in tenders). A sufficient volume of reusable elements must be created. Meanwhile, circular requirements are needed in tenders for the application of these elements in projects, proper assessment tools must be developed, and additional regulations and legislation is needed. In addition, there are still uncertainties with respect to the material specifications, ownership and warranty and the business case. Reusable elements are more expensive as they need to be harvested. Supply chains and collaboration form such as consortia are needed as portfolio contracts will become the new normal. Transparency is needed between the stakeholders in the industry and knowledge should be shared among parties.

A change in mindset is needed. Clients must be willing to pay more for circularity and market parties should accept the uncertainties of the transition. Additional roles and expertise’s are needed within the industry and supply chains must be organized.
Appropriate circular assessment tools have to developed, other design strategies of resource flows may assist the transition to a closed resource loop system, asset management, and additional client perspectives.

The scale and complexity of projects in the construction sector have grown significantly in recent years. Larger projects typically result in worse performance, including overspending and delays in the calendar.
This research focuses on identifying and analyzing Early Warning Signals (EWS) to mitigate schedule delays during the design phase of infrastructure projects managed by Sweco, a consultancy company in the Netherlands. The primary aim is to explore how effectively EWS can be used to identify potential issues early and prevent project delays.
The research begins by assessing the current knowledge and application of EWS among project managers, controllers and directors at Sweco. Initial findings indicate that while most participants have a basic understanding of the concept of EWS, they do not actively use or recognize it in their daily workflows. Their awareness of these signals primarily stems from gut feelings and extensive experience rather than systematic identification and application.
To identify the most relevant EWS, the study combines insights from existing literature with practical experiences shared by Sweco experts. This process involves creating a comprehensive list of potential EWS, which is then narrowed down and prioritised based on their perceived impact and likelihood. The prioritisation is similar to a risk assessment method, considering both the probability and potential impact of each signal.
The study examines how to measure data related to the signals and proposes measures on how to handle those EWS better. Some of the suggestions include establishing clear working agreements, balancing formal and informal communication, enhancing collaboration through workshops and visual tools, and leveraging advanced technologies like AI and BIM. The study further emphasises the importance of continuous client communication, internal quality checks, and ensuring appropriate expertise for project tasks.
The research provides a comprehensive framework for identifying, measuring, and managing EWS to improve project outcomes and reduce schedule delays in infrastructure projects. The findings emphasise the need for systematic approaches and technological integration to enhance early warning capabilities and project management practices. By implementing the recommended strategies, Sweco can better anticipate potential issues, make informed decisions, and ultimately deliver projects more efficiently.

Keywords: Early Warning Signals (EWS), schedule delay, design phase, infrastructure projects, project management, measurability, prioritisation

This thesis explores the external risks associated with the construction of tailings dams in the mining industry, with a focus on the recent regulatory changes in Mexico. These changes have introduced new complexities and uncertainties in project management, particularly during the tender and construction phases. The aim of this research is to address a gap in traditional risk management methodologies by developing a knowledge graph to identify and manage external risks more effectively, with the specific objective of “How to model an ontology of external risks in the construction of a tailings dam using empirical knowledge”. The scope of the study includes the analysis of external risks in the construction of a tailings dam, and the integration of ontologies to enhance contractors' decision-making processes during the tender stage.

The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining a literature review, case study analysis of the Mexican mining industry, and empirical data collection through interviews with industry experts. The methodology involves developing a knowledge graph using the Methontology approach, implemented through Protégé software. The results reveal various external risks, such as social conflicts, and activity-related and resource-related issues, that impact tailings dam projects. The knowledge graph created serves as a systematic tool for visualizing and analyzing these risks, with validation processes confirming its logical consistency and applicability.

The study concludes that external risks in the mining industry are multifaceted, encompassing social, financial, and resource-driven factors. The developed ontology provides a practical framework for contractors to identify and mitigate these risks more effectively, especially during the tender stage. The research recommends further development and application of ontology-based models in the industry to bridge the gap between theoretical risk management frameworks and practical real-world applications, thereby enhancing the overall risk management process in construction projects within the mining sector.

In Dutch hospital construction projects, the project goals are not always met, budgets are overrun, delays in planning, and the progress of the projects do not proceed the way that is expected. The complexity of the hospital construction projects influence the possible outcome of the projects. Project failure is often linked to the hard sides of project management, but especially the soft factors and skills, such as negotiation, team capabilities and communication also appear to influence the outcome of a project.
A wide range of signs can indicate possible problems long before they actually occur: Early Warning Signs (EWS). EWS are indicators for potential negative future developments. The signs consist mostly of soft signals which grow stronger over time. When EWS occur in a project, they are mostly process-related, linked to human behaviour and ‘gut-feeling’. Some research is performed on the subject, but the ability to identify and act on these EWS is in its early stages. Research on EWS and the response to EWS mainly focuses on the infrastructure construction sector. EWS-Research related to hospital construction projects is lacking. This research wants to make an attempt to fill the research gap and aims to answer the following research question:
“Which Early Warning Signs can be identified in Dutch hospital construction projects, and how can acting on Early Warning Signs be stimulated to mitigate possible problems?”
The exploratory research is split into two sections; a theoretical study and an empirical study are conducted. The theoretical study consists of a literature review. The findings of the theoretical study are explored in practice in the empirical study, which consists of a case study, including semi-structured interviews, and an expert panel.
The findings show that EWS appear in hospital construction projects and that they are related to human factors, such as gut feeling, communication and culture. Project management can benefit from taking EWS into account: identifying and responding to EWS can have a positive effect on the process of hospital construction.
Before responding to EWS, they must first be identified and barriers must be minimised. To stimulate acting on EWS, there must be awareness of which barriers can occur in hospital construction projects.
Nine categories of EWS in hospital construction projects are found: 1) Infeasible project goal, 2) Postponing decision making, 3) Diminishing cooperation, 4) Unfit team composition, 5) Lack of communication, 6) Lack of quality of documents, 7) Deteriorating connection with internal stakeholders, 8) Excessive workload, and 9) Resistance of external stakeholders.
Eight barriers are found that may prevent recognising or acting on EWS in hospital construction projects: 1) Inadequate management style, 2) Uncertainty avoidance, 3) Effects of board/politics, 4) Optimism bias, 5) Lack of time for reflection, 6) Underestimated project complexity, 7) Deteriorating relationship with contractors, and 8) Fragmentation.
To minimise possible problems in a hospital construction project, the three most impactful barriers can be managed by incorporating possible solutions regarding proactive and reactive approaches applying both soft and hard aspects of project management.

Current societal and construction challenges, combined with limited time and the scarcity of people and resources, require solutions in the construction industry. This research focuses on repetitive tasks and contributes to that. Furthermore, this research is necessary because the literature on repetitive tasks is limited and needs to be supplemented. The research objective was to increase the understanding and knowledge of the design elements aimed at exploiting the potential of repetitive tasks in assignments where public clients and contractors collaborate. Based on the literature review, repetitive tasks and associated potential were defined and a theoretical framework was established. The empirical research consists of studying three cases, the programmes WL, IPS Schoolgebouwen and WOUW, using case documents and eighteen interviews conducted with public clients and contractors. This provided a picture of repetitive tasks in different construction sectors (residential, utility and infrastructure construction) and at different phases of the asset life cycle (new construction, maintenance and renovation). Separate analysis of the three cases, combined with cross case analysis and the established theoretical framework, then formed the basis for the "Innovative approach to repetitive tasks" framework. Through an "innovative approach to repetitive tasks", consisting of a cross-project inventory of repetitive tasks and the application of the design elements and advices proposed in the “Innovative approach to repetitive tasks” framework, the forces of the public client and the contractors are combined and the potential of repetitive tasks is unlocked.

Critical infrastructure systems are vital to societal functions, yet they face increasing complexity due to global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and digitalization. In the Netherlands, infrastructure administrations play a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and sustainability of these systems. Interorganizational collaboration (IOC) is recognized as an approach to addressing interdependencies among stakeholders and enhancing infrastructure management. However, there is limited understanding of the organizational preconditions required to foster effective IOC, particularly at the intraorganizational level. This thesis explores the factors that enhance or hinder collaborative capacity among Dutch infrastructure administrations, focusing on the major Port Authority and Railway Administration as case organizations. Using a qualitative, three-step methodology—comprising a literature review, semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis—it identifies organizational preconditions critical for enabling IOC. Findings highlight that leadership commitment, collaborative goal-setting, structural flexibility, and proactive relationship-building are essential enablers of IOC. Successful collaborations often begin with motivated individuals and are sustained through institutionalized learning and adaptive organizational strategies. The study encourages organizations to balance internal mandates with shared collaborative objectives and to prioritize informal networks and trust-building mechanisms. The findings offer a reflective framework for infrastructure administrations to assess and enhance their collaborative capacity within their own specific context, enabling more effective partnerships in safeguarding critical infrastructure systems. This research contributes to both theory and practice, addressing a gap in understanding how intraorganizational factors shape the readiness and success of interorganizational collaboration.

Extreme sea level events are more likely to occur more frequently in the future due to climate change. Therefore, new approaches to flood risk management must be explored. Instead of following a solely defence-dominated engineering approach, improving resilience has become increasingly popular and more desirable. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions inspired by, supported by or copied from nature that simultaneously help societies address environmental, social and economic challenges. Therefore, they have the potential to contribute to a more resilient Flood Risk Governance (FRG). However, implementing new perspectives will inevitably widen the scope and increase the number of stakeholders involved in the decision-making process. The idea of more collaborative and participatory governance has gained increased interest among researchers. Nevertheless, influential stakeholders often prefer solutions that cost less and hold fewer management complications and risks, even if other, more multi-functional solutions might be more beneficial for the other stakeholders and society. To further contribute to the knowledge of FRG and the implementation of NBS, this thesis aims to explore how the current FRG can be enhanced for the implementation of nature-based flood defence systems.

The chosen approach is a qualitative study. In addition to reviewing related literature, a first round of interviews explores the current FRG. Furthermore, a multiple-case study was selected as a research method. Data was gathered through interviews and document review in a thematic analysis. Both barriers and enablers for the design and implementation of NBS were identified. Ultimately, the research discovered that barriers and enablers are deeply interconnected, which was depicted in a framework. Moreover, the framework was categorised into three levels of governance. From there, recommendations are given to relevant stakeholders.

The Netherlands can reflect on a long history of living with water, leading to a well-defined FRG with clearly divided responsibilities. Nevertheless, this historical and cultural background also made the system somewhat rigid, making the integration of novel approaches, such as NBS, rather difficult. Several barriers and enablers for wider NBS implementation have been identified within the case studies. Moreover, potential solutions were extracted.

Based on the framework, the study provides a set of policy recommendations targeted at Rijkswaterstaat and other stakeholders of the Dutch FRG. These recommendations focus on enhancing governance flexibility, fostering interdependencies, and creating incentives to overcome risk aversion and promote nature-based approaches. Additionally, the study suggests revising existing legislation to accommodate adaptive management practices better and integrating long-term monitoring and evaluation to support continuous learning and improvement.

The study concludes that better integration of NBS in FRG requires addressing distinct areas of responsibilities, encouraging adaptive and flexible governance arrangements, and promoting collaborative approaches to policymaking. By enhancing stakeholder engagement and providing adequate financial and regulatory support, the Netherlands can improve the resilience of its flood protection system while harnessing the multiple benefits offered by NBS.

The Netherlands faces a significant challenge in addressing the vast renewal and renovation needs of its aging infrastructure. The portfolio approach offers a methodology to manage this task. By viewing projects as part of a larger portfolio rather than as isolated entities, this approach could improve efficiency and ensure the long-term reliability of infrastructure. This research investigates how the portfolio approach can support the Dutch infrastructure renewal and renovation agenda, focusing on its practical implementation and impact on project execution and outcomes. The research begins with a literature review to identify principles of the portfolio approach, such as collaboration, adaptability, and strategic alignment. These principles form the basis of a case study involving two related bridge projects managed within one portfolio. Interviews with the client and contractor provide an exploration of the practical implementation of the portfolio approach. The case study focuses on five key principles derived from academic and grey literature: improved decision-making through feedback, communication and knowledge sharing, stakeholder involvement, adaptability to dynamic environments, and portfolio-level benefit optimization. These principles guide the analysis, highlighting how actions such as feedback mechanisms and collaborative planning can enhance project execution and stakeholder alignment. The findings result in a simplified framework of actions and effects, showcasing the potential for infrastructure renewal in the Netherlands. The study shows that the portfolio approach could help address the Netherlands' infrastructure renewal and renovation challenge. By fostering collaboration and strategic alignment between clients and contractors, it has the potential to address renewal and renovation issues. However, the research also highlights challenges related to open-book collaboration, particularly in areas such as pricing transparency and allocation of manpower. These challenges can lead to tensions between the public commissioner and the contractor, especially when mechanisms for trust and accountability are poorly established. Addressing these issues requires tailored strategies that balance openness with fairness and efficiency. The research emphasizes the importance of adapting portfolio strategies to the unique dynamics while leveraging the portfolio approach to achieve national infrastructure goals effectively

The Dutch construction industry faces the recurring issues related to delays and conflicts, resulting in adverse effects on construction projects. Researchers have proposed pain/gain sharing mechanisms as a potential solution to address these issues. However, there is a gap between theoretical suggestions and practical implementation. This empirical study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the practical implementation of pain/gain sharing mechanisms in the Dutch construction industry. The objective is to explore how these mechanisms can provide value to contractors.

The literature review reveals that the NEC4 contract ECS4 Option C is commonly used for implementing pain/gain sharing mechanisms. Additionally, secondary option clauses such as Option X6 (bonus for early completion) and Option X20 (key performance indicators) are identified. While these mechanisms have primarily been applied in alliances or client-contractor relationships, they can also be adapted for contractor-subcontractor relationships.

Through in-depth analysis of three case studies and eleven semi-structured interviews, it is found that essential conditions for successful pain/gain sharing mechanisms are often missing. Transparency, aligned objectives, consideration of each other's interests, and early involvement of parties are identified as crucial factors for success.

To address the identified gaps in the implementation process, a comprehensive framework is developed, which is well-received by industry experts. The framework aids in selecting the most suitable pain/gain sharing mechanism and ensuring all parties understand its benefits and implications. Two options, an escape plan or commitment to the mechanism, are proposed to provide flexibility.

The developed framework enhances the understanding and implementation of pain/gain sharing mechanisms in the construction industry. By respecting and guaranteeing agreements, the optimal effectiveness of these mechanisms can be realized. This research contributes to bridging the gap between theoretical suggestions and practical implementation, paving the way for more successful construction projects in the Dutch construction industry.

Using an exploratory approach, this research delves into the intricate interplay between diversity and team dynamics, using social network analysis as a powerful tool. By combining theoretical insights from literature with comprehensive network analysis, the effects of diversity on power, influence and communication on construction project teams are uncovered.

The initial phase of the research involves a literature review on diversity to develop an understanding of diversity within project teams. A preliminary survey collects data on diversity within two project teams and gathers relationship information based on Cross's four dimensions: frequency, responsiveness, effectiveness, and energy. This empirical data, along with social network analysis (SNA) metrics such as centrality, centralisation, density, clustering, and homophily, provides insights into the manifestation of diversity and its impact on team dynamics. The research findings and conclusions are presented to two experts in the field to enhance the understanding of diversity’s effects and obtain recommendations.

The literature review helped create a list of relevant diversity dimensions. Age, gender, language, and nationality are important personal traits, while educational background, functional background, experience, and team tenure are critical job-related traits. In addition, three parameters were integrated into the analysis to understand some of the observed network properties of the investigated project teams. These parameters include organisation, office location, and department.

The findings of this research highlight the significant impact of age, experience, education, functional background, nationality, and gender on team dynamics and collaboration within diverse teams. Age and experience were found to influence the closeness of team members, with younger and less experienced individuals being less connected to the larger network, particularly in relation to the oldest team members. In consultancy-based work or projects involving experts, higher educational degrees were associated with increased power, influence, and communication within the team. However, this trend was not observed in project management-based teams. The tendency to associate with others who share similar characteristics was evident based on nationality, with team members exhibiting a higher affinity to form connections towards individuals from their own nationality. Gender also influenced this effect, although to a lesser extent compared to nationality. Clustering based on nationality, gender, and functional background was observed.

Onboarding and extracurricular activities emerged as factors responsible for the visibility of the effects of diversity within project teams. A comparison revealed that the team where deliberate efforts were made to foster bonds among members exhibited lower variations in diversity-related network characteristics. This underscores the importance of effective onboarding processes prioritising trust-building, team integration, and establishing a cohesive unit. To enhance collaboration within diverse teams, several strategies are recommended based on these findings. They focus on reforming onboarding practices, embracing diversity and inclusivity, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and addressing cultural and language barriers and considerations while building the formal organisational structure.

In summary, this research underscores the importance of understanding the various factors that influence the social structure within diverse teams. By implementing the strategies and recommendations outlined, organisations can create a more inclusive and collaborative environment, leading to improved team outcomes.

The market industry is rapidly changing and modifications are taking place. Over the years, it has been noticed that project success is a challenging issue, which requires several endeavours from project parties. The procurement system is characterized as a tool, the implementation of which delivers project results. The procurement system is classified into four distinct categories; traditional, design & build, strategic & integrated, partnering. Based on those, the most popular procurement technique historically is the traditional method. The traditional method is mostly applied successfully in small projects, when less complexity and uncertainty emerge. However, the complexity and uncertainty have largely increased, marking the traditional method slightly impractical for successful results. In that case, a new procurement method is introduced, the Best Value Procurement (known as BVP) method. A critical advantage of the BVP is the embodiment of complexity and collaboration demands into its process. Despite its advantages and ambitions, the BVP does not always secure a successful result. Therefore, the main question that will be addressed in this research is:

“How could public organizations implement Best Value Procurement (BVP) to benefit the project
delivery?”

To answer the main research question, a deep investigation through the BVP concept (elements, activities etc.) was executed. Firstly, an extensive literature review was exercised in order to cover the BVP method on the theoretical side. Based on the literature results, a theoretical BVP framework was established. Secondly, the findings acquired from the literature review were examined, leading to the exploratory interviews. Interviews are exploring the practical side of the BVP and how is applied in practice. Seven interviewees were selected. An understanding of differences and similarities between theory and practice was essential. Using the findings from the frameworks’ comparison, a list of adjustments (or recommendations) for improving the BVP method is established. Interviews with experts were held. Three experts, coming from public organisations and consultancy firms apply their knowledge and expertise in order to improve the BVP method. Thereafter, an alternative BVP framework was established. The alternative BVP framework incorporates components (elements, activities, including parties, final deliverables), the influence of which is characterized as critical for the BVP success. Public organisations frequently apply the BVP method in their projects. Being BVP initiators in the market industry, public organisations should implement BVP carefully. The alternative BVP framework, proposed in the research, could be used by public clients in order to achieve successful project outcomes. For a successful implementation of the BVP method, special attention should be attributed to the main alterations:

General highlights:
1. An introduction of Stage zero; training sessions, about BVP philosophy, are becoming available
through every single project participant
2. An introduction of final deliverables (per step); setting clearly the deliverables to be received
at the end of every stage

Selection stage:
1. Interviews inclusion as part of the evaluation process, not separate activity of the selection
stage
2. Consultants and tender managers are getting an important role throughout the selection
stage
3. Once the selection stage finishes, the evaluation committee or client has to select only one
contractor. Multiple contractors should not be accepted...

The Netherlands has encountered significant cost overruns and failures in complex infrastructure projects. To address these challenges, Rijkswaterstaat, the primary authority for soil, road, and waterway management, is shifting from large DBFM (Design, Build, Finance, and Maintain) contracts to simpler, risk-sharing models. This strategic move aims to make projects more predictable and manageable.

Andringa et al. (2022) examined this approach using the Complexity Based Risk Assessment Method (CBRAM), which ties project complexity elements to objectives through risk breakdown structures and registers, establishing causal paths among these components. Their study highlighted the need for broader application of CBRAM to validate its effectiveness.

This research explores how project complexity assessments can improve risk assessment in Dutch infrastructure projects using CBRAM. Through a literature review, case studies, and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews, the study applied CBRAM to four project phases: Renovatie Krammersluizen (tender), Selectieve Onttrekking IJmuiden (construction), IJboulevard (evaluation), and Zeetoegang IJmuiden (maintenance). These applications revealed critical complexity-risk relationships and identified key project milestones and risk factors. The findings demonstrated that even with data not initially structured for CBRAM, the method could uncover significant insights into complexity-risk dynamics, enhancing project teams' communication and decision-making capabilities.

Interviewees provided further insights into the practical application and theoretical underpinnings of CBRAM. They appreciated the formalization of risk relationships, which supports strategic planning and resource allocation. The value of multiple complexity assessments, particularly during dynamic phases like tendering, was emphasized. Additionally, the potential for incorporating different perspectives on project complexity, including those of clients, was recognized.

The study recommends integrating the improved CBRAM+ model into the Dutch infrastructure sector's risk management toolkit, as it offers a valuable perspective on risk assessment. CBRAM+ emphasizes recording risk ownership, allocation, mitigating measures, and residual risks, and enhances communication about complexity-risk influences. It is also suggested that CBRAM+ be tested in projects to evaluate its performance and in contexts where clients and contractors collaborate to explore and share risks, such as in new contracting forms like two-phase or Bouwteam.

Chile is heavily dependent on international trade, making its port infrastructure crucial for its economic development. Projections show that container freight demand is growing rapidly. To cope with the growing demand, an expansion for the port of San Antonio has been proposed. However, current expansion plans have faced opposition due to environmental and social impacts. This research investigates current social issues and the technical feasibility of harnessing natural sediment transport to create a Building with Nature port expansion solution.

Natural disasters, related to water, in various forms have become more common in our daily lives and on our television screens. Within the past years, flooding has become a phenomenon which affects global, social, psychological and economic development. In Ghana there are major problems related to water and this has increased substantially over the years. Indeed, flooding is a major issue that is evident in urban sub-Saharan Africa and Ghana is no exception to this worrying phenomenon.
Poor and inadequate infrastructure and urban drainage systems have increased the risk of flooding in Accra, a city that has had an exponential increase in population. Flooding has affected the economy of Ghana, claimed the lives of humans and animals and has caused the outbreak of infectious diseases. However, current flood risk management approaches in Accra, which include demolishing affected buildings, have not been effective enough to reduce the impacts of Ghana’s floods.
This paper analyzes the current situation in Accra, the capital of Ghana, relating to floods, the factors that played a role in aggravating its effects, and how communities respond to flooding events. This is a main challenge Accra is dealing with and it is therefore imperative to look at the causes of flooding in Ghana as a country and propose an approach that can help mitigate the impact of floods. The challenge is to develop strategies for dealing specifically with increased vulnerability to flooding in order to reduce economic effects and save human lives, animals and properties. The study area consists of five local suburbs of Accra namely Agbogbloshie, Old Fadama, Adabraka, Weija and Alajo, which have been affected by floods. The effect of floods can be observed in an increased amount of flood events in these communities.
This thesis therefore uses the concept of resilience as the basis in solving this problem. The problem is defined using literature review, a case study, field inspections and interviews. Resilience at multi-level governance level is studied using an analytical framework to examine what policies government authorities have adopted to stimulate the adaptation of Accra into a more flood resilient urban environment. The changes need to be implemented to improve upon the flaws are also studied. The challenges involved in multi-level governance of Flood Risk Management in Ghana from the perspectives of the various actors are also examined. This will help in filling the knowledge gap in the literature on multi-level governance arrangements and the challenges involved for Ghana in the context of Flood Risk Management. To do this, a case study approach in which the interactions between the actors, stakeholders and the policy instruments are looked at, is applied.
The analytical framework is derived from the work of the five elements of flood risk management of Batica et al. (2013) and the two types of multi-level governance defined by Hooghe and Marks (2003). The findings from the analytical framework include key stakeholders in flood risk management as well as aspects of resilience and response and anticipation in flood risk management. Aspects of resilience in flood risk management strategies comprise Relief, Resist, Response, Recovery and Reflect strategies. The findings are used to analyze the effectiveness of existing strategies and recommend improvements. There are measures for resisting known flood risks, but their implementation is ineffective. Involvement of the local chiefs and key private sector organizations in flood risk management strategies in Accra would allow for advanced resilience regarding their responses to the impacts of land-use changes and the waste disposal in watercourses. This research shows that the effectiveness of flood risk management in Accra depends on implementation and enforcement.

Currently, the infrastructure industry is in transformation and moving towards new project delivery approaches. Aiming to improve the predictability of projects and due to a growing desire for collaboration between clients and contractors, the two-phase model has made its entrance in the industry and has been gaining popularity.
During the first phase of the two-phase model, client and contractor work together on the design. The first phase results in a detailed design including the price for execution. After a successful first phase, client and contractor come to an agreement for the execution phase. The price determination of the execution costs is delayed until after the first phase. The contractor therefore has a better grasp of the project risks and is in a better position to offer a more reliable price. The two-phase model is relatively new on the market and therefore has not yet been standardized. The elements of a two-phase model have not been identified scientifically. This research contributes to making reasoned choices on how the elements of a two-phase model can be operationalized in infrastructure projects in a way that the two-phase model contributes to achieving the project's objectives.
The main research question of this study is: What is the optimal operationalization of elements in designing the first phase of the two-phase model in infrastructure projects?

Women in construction are marginalised, and gendered work culture results in a higher turnover rate of early female professionals. On the other hand, after the COVID-19 pandemic, construction organisations have understood the need for digitisation to derive benefits from digital tools. Besides, it was presented that using digital devices may impact work & employment and employees’ behaviour and organisational culture. In this context, the study aims to explore how the usage of digital tools at work influences the gendered work culture and how it can improve the early career experience of female employees in the construction sector.

This research employed two data collection methods: (1) a review of previous studies and (2) a series of semi-structured interviews. Reviewing previous studies aims to understand the trend and phenomena of the research topic to build a research framework. Career development challenges for female early career professionals: family-work balance; pay; stress; recruitment and selection; training; allocation of tasks and positions; work climate and condition; network; and career opportunity. Then, a series of semi-structured interviews were conducted.

This research suggests that using digital tools in communication results in misunderstanding, fewer opportunities for bonding and relationship building with colleagues and exclusion. Moreover, the usage of digital tools enables female employees to gain respect and be heard because the results of the digital tools support their opinion. Furthermore, the data-driven perspective promotes removing bias and subconscious bias in decision-making. On the other hand, hierarchy and pressure on budget and schedule hamper the implementation of digital tools at work practice. Besides, it was identified that these changes affect the experience of early female employees in the sector. The digital-related skillsets provided them with more job opportunities, breaking gender-stereotypical norms. A remote working environment enabled by digital communication made female employees balance work and life more manageable, and promotion decisions can be based on a data-driven perspective. Regretfully, digital communication disturbs the accommodation of new employees and socialising opportunities between colleagues.

It is recommended to facilitate training programmes for digital tools to improve and promote the benefits of using digital tools. In addition, more flexible network practices can also be provided to encourage socialisation, and fair and accurate data analysis programmes for promotion can be developed.