Leon M Hermans

IHE Delft Institute for Water Education / Delft University of Technology

Environmental policy integration is needed to ensure environmental policy goals are being realized, given their cross‐sectoral nature. Most of the published research has focused on integration and coherence of (inter)national policies, plans, and programs. The implementation practices for these policies, however, are at least as important. This pap...

Peri-urban transformations in emerging economies like India demand scientific attention given their impact on global environmental change processes. Some studies examine past or ongoing peri-urban adaptation processes, but insight into future adaptation needs and aspirations of peri-urban communities is lacking. Also, it is unknown how the high deg...

Periurban farmers in India are operating in fast-paced transformative environments of uncertain, quickly changing hydrosocial landscapes while simultaneously responding to different urban, rural and periurban demands. The urge is growing toward a more sustainable, integrative agricultural transformation, in which local stakeholders have more agency...

Socio-hydrology has expanded and been effective in exposing the hydrological community to ideas and approaches from other scientific disciplines, and social sciences in particular. Yet it still has much to explore regarding how to capture human agency and how to combine different methods and disciplinary views from both the hydrological and social...

The central idea of this Research Topic is to explore actors’ agency in adaptive water planning. We seek to address three shortfalls that have previously contributed to a failure of planning processes: (i) planners’ tendency to focus on the technical aspects of water management, ignoring the practices and different kinds of knowledge of water users...

The co-creation of knowledge through a process of mutual learning between scientists and societal actors is an important avenue to advance science and resolve complex problems in society. While the value and principles for such transdisciplinary water research have been well established, the power and empowerment dimensions continue to pose a chall...

The increasingly active role of stakeholders in the development of innovative nature-based solutions calls for appropriate instruments to support and realise added value from their involvement. In this paper we apply a newly developed instrument “Cooperation for Added Value” (Co-Add) to a study area on the Dutch coast. The instrument draws on parti...

India is currently being fundamentally transformed by urbanization. The absolute number of urban dwellers has been increasing sharply since the economic reforms of the 1990s and so has the share of population residing in urban areas. But this transformation does not only affect the cities themselves, it affects the areas surrounding them, too. In f...

Most climate adaptation plans expect stakeholders to change their behavior as part of building resilience. Given its long-term and complex nature, monitoring and evaluation is a key requisite for climate adaptation planning. So far, behavioral aspects have received only limited attention in the evaluation approaches for climate adaptation planning....

The Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) represents a complex dynamic socio-hydrological system in which societies and hydrology interact and co-evolve. The dominant engineering approach in delta has enhanced the VMD dynamics of society and hydrology. This study looks at the implications of socio-hydrological dynamics in the coastal VMD where saline water...

The co-creation of knowledge through a process of mutual learning between scientists and societal actors is an important avenue to advance science and resolve complex problems in society. While the value and principles for such transdisciplinary water research have been well established, the power and empowerment dimensions continue to pose a chall...

Exploring whether society is sufficiently equipped and motivated to adopt planned interventions is vital for modern plan development trajectories. The Motivation and Ability (MOTA) framework offers a tool to assess the societal adoptability of plans by exploring stakeholders' motivations and abilities. It was originally developed to assess plan imp...

India’s urbanisation results in the physical and societal transformation of the areas sur- rounding cities. These periurban interfaces are spaces of flows, shaped by an exchange of matter, people and ideas between urban and rural spaces—and currently they are zones in transition. Periur- banisation processes result inter alia in changing water dema...

Most water and development interventions aim to contribute to long-term sustainable impacts. Given the uncertainties involved in these longer-term water development projects, adaptive planning approaches hold promise to connect planning, implementation and evaluation. Recent innovations report promising results, but find limited wide-spread practic...

Peri-urban areas, the dynamic zones located between expanding cities and rural areas, are given increasing attention as it becomes clear that these fast-growing areas demand specific strategies and perspectives. Such strategies and processes of socio-economic development provide both major challenges and opportunities to the diverse actors co-optin...

Nature-based flood defence is an innovative design alternative for achieving protection against flooding. Despite significant advancements in science, models and concepts, routine implementation beyond pilot projects remains limited. To better understand why, we have looked into the complexities of nature-based flood defence implementation and its...

Strategic delta planning focuses on strategic, long-term choices to stimulate sustainable development in deltas. Strategic delta plans outline a long-term vision to be embedded into the plans and activities of government agencies and semi-public actors at multiple levels. This implies a form of coordinated, yet decentralized, implementation. Althou...

Sustainable livelihood development is an ongoing challenge worldwide, and has regained importance due to threats of water shortages and climate change. To cope with changing climatic, demographic and market conditions in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta (VMD) an agricultural transformation process has been suggested in the recent Mekong Delta Plan. This agri...

This publication has been prepared as part of the project “Shifting Grounds: Institutional transformation, enhancing knowledge and capacity to manage groundwater security in peri-urban Ganges delta systems”, funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research under grant W.07.69.104.

Peri-urban areas in the global south are experiencing over-exploitation and contamination of water resources as a result of rapid urbanisation. These problems relate to the ineffectiveness of the underlying institutions in this dynamic, multi-actor context. Institutions need to be considered during problem solving; however, peri-urban communities h...

This chapter shows a step-wise approach for a social network analysis study. It presents a case study that concerns the innovation network for Internet video in the Netherlands. The chapter introduces social network analysis as a tool to model and investigates the relations between actors and the way in which these relations structure and influence...

This chapter provides a framework and step-wise approach for the use of actor and strategy models. There are easy critiques to make of models that attempt to capture strategic interactions between actors. Most critiques point to the difficulties in establishing valid models with a certain predictive power. The chapter addresses these critiques and...

This chapter presents an approach to model resource dependencies using the moves and capabilities of actors. It begins with a selection of a classic theory from organizational science known as resource dependency theory. Resource dependency theory can be fruitfully combined with other theories to better understand the whys and wherefores of organiz...

This chapter looks at value-focused thinking as an approach to identify, structure and measures values of actors. The process comprises identifying values, specification of criteria, and use of these criteria to measure how values are affected by various alternative solutions. The principles of value-focused thinking apply to both single decision-m...

In this chapter, argumentative analysis is used based on Stephen Toulmin's model. The basis form for argumentation in the Toulmin model consists of six different elements: data (D), claims (C), warrants (W), backing (B), rebuttals (R), and modal qualifiers (Q). Argumentative analysis is also often used for debates in which scientific knowledge play...

This chapter presents a step-wise approach for a quick-and-dirty actor network scan that can be used to develop a first problem formulation for the strategic interaction problems that a client or problem owner, is facing. A good initial actor network scan is critical for a good design for an actor and strategy modeling study. A first diagnosis of t...

This chapter starts by visiting the discussion of when to use what actor model. It also helps the readers to compare different modeling approaches. If it seems important to get a better view of the different perceptions that actors have of a situation, three different modeling approaches can be considered: comparative cognitive mapping, argumentati...

This introduction provides an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book introduces a range of models that help understand actors and their strategic interactions, and offers useful tools to practitioners and analysts in the fields of decision-making, policy analysis, management, corporate planning, and...

This chapter discusses models of group capability. Some analysts and theorists give this phenomenon of group capability the name of cooperation. The associated branch of game theory is therefore known as cooperative game theory. The goal of the chapter is to reduce a strategic situation in the real world down to a shorthand form so that one can thi...

This chapter presents the use of games in extensive form, also known as game trees, as a modeling approach for social dilemmas. It describes a complete step-wise approach for using games in extensive form, or game trees, to model actor interactions. Game trees instead are devices for representing and sequencing the availability of information. Game...

A practical how-to guide for more effective planning through multi-actor modelling Careful planning is the cornerstone of a successful initiative, and any plan, policy, or business strategy can only be successful if it has the support of different actors. These actors may be actively pursuing their own agendas, so the plan must not only offer an o...

Community operational research (COR) helps local stakeholders address complex messy problems related to public goods. Many of these problems feature an institutional dimension, whereby institutions refer to rules that structure behaviour and interactions in society. If a sound analysis of the institutional dimension in such cases is limited in scop...

Urbanization processes are characterized by rapid change. The peri-urban context represents such a transition zone during urbanization. Here, change creates new realities and new demands, for which existing institutions may no longer suffice. Yet institutions do not change easily, as they typically exist to provide stability and predictability duri...

A brief leaflet to explain our project and share initial lessons learned on delta planning and implementation. The paper was created with input from our consortium members.

Adaptation pathways approaches support long-term planning under uncertainty. The use of adaptation pathways implies a systematic monitoring effort to inform future adaptation decisions. Such monitoring should feed into a long-term collaborative learning process between multiple actors at various levels. This raises questions about who should monito...

Sectoral planning on water, agriculture and urban development has not been able to prevent increased flood risks and environmental degradation in many deltas. Governments conceive strategic delta planning as a promising planning approach and develop strategic delta plans. Such plans are linked to actions and means for implementation in the short-te...

We explore how to address the challenges of adaptation of water resources systems under changing conditions by supporting flexible, resilient and low-regret solutions, coupled with on-going monitoring and evaluation. This will require improved understanding of the linkages between biophysical and social aspects in order to better anticipate the pos...

Urbanization creates challenges for water management in an evolving socio-economic context. This is particularly relevant in transitioning peri-urban areas like Khulna, Bangladesh where competing demands have put pressure on local groundwater resources. Users are unable to sufficiently meet their needs through existing institutions. These instituti...

Deltas are generally recognized as vulnerable to climate change and therefore a salient topic in adaptation science. Deltas are also highly dynamic systems viewed from physical (erosion, sedimentation, subsidence), social (demographic), economic (trade), infrastructures (transport, energy, metropolization) and cultural (multi-ethnic) perspectives....

Implementation failure is a long-known Achilles’ heel of water and flood management plans. Contemporary planning approaches address the implementation challenge by using more participatory planning processes to ensure support for plans, assuming that this support will also benefit plan implementation. A proactive analysis of possible implementation...

Under the moniker of Adaptive Delta Management (ADM), adaptive policy making moved from science to practice within 10 years. This fast uptake of scientific work in policy analysis, was enabled by the development of the Dutch Delta Program that incorporated ADM as its main conceptual framework from its inception in 2010. The rapid absorption of ADM...

Problem structuring methods are uniquely suitable for analysing strategically complex problems. There exists a subset of these problem structuring methods which focus specifically on structuring the decision processes by which multiple actors debate and potentially resolve complex problems. These methods include, but are not limited to, analysis of...

A game-structuring method is applied in a contested, real-world setting of estuary management in South Africa. The key activities undertaken in applying the six step game-structuring method are described and artefacts developed in the process are provided. Participants were readily able to identify strategic outcomes and payoffs in the case. Conve...

Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways has been developed as an approach to deal with deep uncertainties and support robust decision-making for long-term planning. Given the unpredictable and uncertain futures, implementation of the resulting adaptive policies needs to be informed by regular monitoring. However, monitoring implementation in practice is c...

Most of today's public policies are formulated and implemented in multi-actor networks. Game theory has long been around as a method that supports a careful analysis of interaction processes among actors. So far, it has not been widely applied in the evaluation field. Hence, questions regarding the usefulness of game theory as an evaluation method...

One way in which international water operator partnerships can contribute to capacity development is through the exchange of experiences with water institutions in different countries. This paper looks at a partnership between water operators in the Netherlands and Malawi to see to what extent institutional experiences in the Netherlands can contri...

Lake Urumia is a salt lake located in the northwest of Iran. During the past 14 years, increased water demand and droughts have led to severe environmental degradation combined with a drop of about 5m in the lake’s water level. This paper presents the results of a case study carried out to contribute to the development of a roadmap aimed at reachin...

Systems analysis and systems theory have proven a fruitful basis on which to develop the discipline of policy analysis. However, since the inception of policy analysis in the second half of the twentieth century, the world has changed, new insights have emerged, and thus new challenges have arisen for policy analysts. One of the most prominent chan...

Learning-by-doing and adaptive management require careful monitoring and evaluation of the outcomes of environmental policies and programs under implementation. Selecting relevant indicators is difficult, especially when monitoring over a longer period of time. Further challenges arise when policies are developed as a collaborative effort among mul...

International experiences with water policy and governance arrangements are shared through various international meetings and reports. The underlying assumption is that these experiences provide useful information to policy makers who are looking for ways to improve water resources management in their home country or region. However, little has bee...

Environmental policy-making often involves a mix of technical knowledge, normative choice and uncertainty. Numerous actors, each with their own distinct objectives, are involved in these policy-making processes. One question these actors face, is how they can effectively communicate their technical knowledge and represent their interests in policy-...

This paper explores how the development of payment schemes for water-related environmental services can be understood and supported. Currently, the development of such payment schemes is perceived mainly through theoretical lenses offered by economists and hydrologists. Notwithstanding the usefulness and appropriateness of these theoretical lenses,...

Public policy analysts use methods rooted in OR and systems analysis to support policy makers in their judgement. In doing so, most policy analysts recognize the value of a certain understanding of the role of actors in policy making processes. Different methods are available to aid such understanding and, although they all focus on actors, there a...

A persistent challenge for the development of well-informed and sound environmental policies is to improve the connection between environmental experts, decision makers, and other involved actors. Answers are sought in processes for social learning and adaptive co-management that engage experts, decision makers, and local actors in an interactive w...

A persistent challenge for the development of well-informed and sound environmental policies is to improve the connection between environmental experts, decision makers, and other involved actors. Answers are sought in processes for social learning and adaptive co-management that engage experts, decision makers, and local actors in an interactive w...

Water valuation is needed to enable sound and well-informed decisions on the allocation and management of water resources. The existing methods for water valuation have an important potential and need to be further developed. Practical tools are especially urgently needed to aid implementation on the ground. There is a need to expand the scope of e...

Policy learning is essential for the management of complex and changing water resources systems. However, the lack of genuine interest in policy evaluations suggests that at best a partial effort is made to enable such learning. This paper explores this discrepancy, based on a review of current evaluation practice and literature. This indicates tha...

As water is increasingly recognized as a scarce resource, the use of economic arrangements for water resources management seems increasingly promising. Experiences show that economic arrangements can contribute to a more efficient use of water resources but only if specific conditions are met, related to a well-functioning institutional framework a...

Water valuation is needed to enable sound and well-informed decisions on the allocation and management of water resources. The existing methods for water valuation have an important potential and need to be further developed. Practical tools are especially urgently needed to aid implementation on the ground. There is a need to expand the scope of e...

Water related problems such as floods, droughts, declining groundwater tables or polluted rivers have a major impact on numerous societies throughout the world. Despite these serious problems, policy makers seem to make scant use of the knowledge that is available with water experts. Conversely, water experts face the task of finding out how they s...

Diffuse pollution problems involve numerous different organizations and this requires decision makers to involve different actors if they want to develop policies that have a chance of being implemented effectively. A first step in such interactive policy development would be to gain an overview of the different actors involved in diffuse pollution...