Knowledge co-creation as a means to support the implementation of the European water framework directive in Denmark
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Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu |
Master's thesis
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en
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70+27
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Abstract
Public information and consultation for the elaboration, revision, and updating of River Basin Management Plans are encouraged in article 14 of the Water Framework Directive. In Denmark, there’s a need to engage with the public and stakeholders, and failure to do so might result in coordination problems between the central and local levels of the government. Water councils were therefore re-appointed in 2019 to improve stakeholder involvement. These groups are engaged, with Danish municipalities, in the co-creation – collaborative process to produce knowledge – of measures to restore streams for the 2021-2027 management cycle River Basin Management Plans. As such, the re-introduction of water councils consists in a step towards more co-governance, i.e., shared decision right between government institution and other associations, in stream management in Denmark. This thesis examines the framework surrounding water councils and their function in the decision-making process in Denmark using the following research hypothesis: Water councils play a key role for the Danish co-governance system. The research is based on a case study of three water councils. The collaborative process of assisting municipalities in developing restoration measures for the government conducted by water councils was assessed employing an analytical framework proposed in the co-production literature encompassing four principles: pluralism, goal orientation, contextualization, and interactivity. Data was collected via an online questionnaire and interviews, and resulting textual data analyzed based on a deductive coding approach reflective of the analytical knowledge co-production framework. Results indicate that researched water councils will most likely reach the objectives of the third consultation cycle thanks to the experience and relationship of the group developed throughout previous consultation cycles. However, there is room for improvement regarding the tools and diversity used in the process. Results also showed that water councils have no legal power and authority in decision-making and are delegated narrowed responsibility – i.e., their task in the 2019-20 consultation cycle focused on the physical characteristics of streams. The latter approach occults chemical and biological aspects or the opportunity of operating at a higher scale, both leading to a more holistic approach in water management, which is a hallmark of the WFD. Despite reaching their objective of advising municipalities in developing measures proposals for River Basin Management Plans, water councils play a restricted role in the Danish water governance system. Conclusions point out to a missing regional level in the Danish decision-making system, which could support an increased holistic approach to stream restoration and bridge the gap between central and local authorities. There is room and need for further investigation but enlarging water councils’ powers and responsibilities could be a means of addressing this gap, benefitting from existing arrangements and experienced groups.Description
Supervisor
Keskinen, MarkoThesis advisor
Carnohan, ShaneGraversgaard, Morten