Arguments for involving the public in water management: evidence from local and regional water plans in the Netherlands

Public participation has become increasingly important in the water sector. However, the question remains as to what exactly is meant by participation. This article explores the different ways that participation is understood in local and regional water plans and visions in the Dutch water sector. Partly driven by the key role played by participatory water management under the European Water Framework Directive, citizens’ engagement has become an important aspect in the plans of authorities across the board that are involved in water management. The study concludes that the most dominant view... Mehr ...