Bridging the gap between different perspectives on climate change adaptation

Abstract

Climate change is affecting the urban environment in the Netherlands, which increases the risks of droughts, floods, waterlogging, and heatwaves. Consequently, the cities we build many years ago are not resilient to climate change in the long run. In response the national government created the Delta Plan on Spatial Adaptation (DPRA) to adapt to the new situation and achieve a climate-proof and water robust urban environment. Climate change adaptation requires a local approach as the climate change effects can differ per neighbourhood. Therefore, local governments are in charge to implement the DPRA. Since the urban environment consists of both public and private space, the involved stakeholders will have to collaborate to ensure a climate-proof environment. Meaning they have to agree on their roles and responsibilities to adapt. Yet, in reality this is not always the case. In this research, the Q methodology is used to find the different perspectives of sixteen public and private stakeholders in two neighbourhoods of The Hague. Next, stakeholders with different perspectives are invited to participate in a risk dialogue (the second ambition of the DPRA). Using the constructive conflict methodology, the effect of the dialogue is analysed. This research did not bring the perspectives closer together, which entails that public stakeholders might have to limit their expectations to increase the perceived responsibility of private stakeholders using the risk dialogue. However, public stakeholders can apply the method of this study to improve their knowledge of the differences in perspectives during the dialogue, their preparation of arguments, and analyse the effect of the dialogue.