Learning from the past: the interaction of the social system and the water system in the Netherlands

Abstract

Sustainable water management strategies are able to cope with uncertainties in our natural and social environment. Uncertainties in our social environment reflect changing societal perceptions on how water should be used and which objectives should be preferred. Change of these perceptions may lead to a loss of public support for strategies, forcing policy makers to take measures quickly. To explore the social robustness of different water management strategies and identify circumstances in which strategies loose social support we use the perspectives method and a historical case study analysis of the Netherlands as from 1900. Resulting from our historical analysis we present ten aspects that should be included in a future exploration of social robustness. A future exploration provides insight in the risks and opportunities of strategies and on how to respond to and anticipate on events and developments in order to preserve social support.