Lecture 1: intro

Question 1

To what three challenges is the water crisis related?

Answer 1

Water scarcity (too little water)
water pollution (dirty water)
flood risk (too much water)

Question 2

Explain what the Traditional technical paradigm is about.

Answer 2

• Centralized command / control approach
• Top down
• Singular problems hierarchical, sectoral
• Probability reduction through flood defense measures
• Water resources development driven by an ethic of growth.  increasing industrial and agricultural productivity

Question 3

Explain characteristics of the Dutch water works in the first and second half of the 20th century

Answer 3

First half of the 20th century: Closure of the Zuiderzee by the Afsluitdijk and the reclamation of new polders in the newly created freshwater lake (Zuiderzee Works 1920-1968)

Second half 20th century:
The large-scale Delta Works programme: closing off almost all the tidal inlets in the delta south of Rotterdam (Delta Works, 1954-1997)

Question 4

What led to a change of societal circumstances from the 1970s onwards?

Answer 4

The environmental movement happened. Ecocystem-based approaches got more popular. Democratization of society supported this: authoritian attitude and lack of responsiveness under growing criticisms lead to ‘the people’ having a say in the decision-making process.

Question 5

Explain how the perception of Rijkswaterstaat changed because of the earlier mentioned processes about environmental consciousness etc…

Answer 5

They were first seen as ‘water wizards’ that could do anything and make anything. Since the environmental movement this transitioned into a perception of destroying landscapes and cultural values.

Question 6

What is the control paradox?

Answer 6

Control paradox: reason why there is more focus on technical engineering. False sense of safety
–> Increased safety from raising dikes –> more intensive land use –> more damage from flooding and high water levels (while this is exactly what authorities don’t want) –> feeling of being at risk –> cycle happens again.

Question 7

Explain how the control paradox ties into the moral hazard problem

Answer 7

• Government expects protection  encourages floodplain development
• When flood comes –> property loses and damange increase while this is the opposite of what governments want to achieve with new defenses.