Introduction to Water Governance in Deltas

Water is of vital importance to human being, especially when living in a delta. Climate change is disrupting business as usual. This intensifies existing issues and introduces new challenges, including more frequent flooding or drought, competition for scarce water resources and deterioration of the conditions for nature in water and land systems. Dealing with these challenges means adaptation. Not only by finding new suitable (technical) solutions, but also by adjusting the organization of water management where necessary.

In this course, we will study the delta as a socio-ecological-technical system, in which you will learn how these sub-systems interact and how they are managed. Most importantly, you will learn to understand and value the context-specificity of water governance in deltas of large river systems. The focus of the course is on governance: the structures and processes in which water policies are formulated and executed. These policies may be aimed at achieving a fair distribution of water as a common pool resource, reduction of risks associated with water or dealing with conflicting interests of stakeholders.

The lecture series touches upon flood risk management, water resources management, urban water management and 'water as a condition for nature and land-use'. Special attention will be given to governance for the adaptation to climate change. While we take the Dutch delta as a starting point, international examples are discussed during the lectures/workshops and your individual assignment may be about a delta of your choice.

Next to lectures, there are two excursions and a panel discussion. The excursions take you on a bicycle tour to explore urban water management in the city of Delft and further into Holland by bus to see water management in deltas in practice. The panel discussion concentrates on the challenge of freshwater management, in particular strategies for drinking water production across policy levels (EU, national and local).

The course offers the basic knowledge about water systems, Dutch water management and especially (water) governance that enables you to engage in issues related to water governance and water system modelling. We provide a framework of reference that enables you to analyse the governance of deltas as socio-ecological-technical systems in deltas. In the individual assignment, you will develop recommendations for the management of freshwater management in deltas. You will combine desk research, interviews and other sources of information to evaluate governance performance and deliver your findings in a communication product (podcast, video, poster or policy brief). With that in mind, the course also intends to stimulate development of personal skills such as curiosity, visual appraisal, engagement with stakeholders, conceptualization of cause-effect chains and communicating your findings. To achieve this, your findings and recommendations are to be presented in a video, podcast, scientific poster or (internet) brochure.