Stakeholder Acceptance of Large-Scale Floating Developments: Insights from Social Theory and Realized Projects in the Netherlands

Rutger de Graaf-van Dinther*, Margo van den Brink, Ina Horlings

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The potential of floating structures to provide climate-resilient living space has recently been acknowledged by the United Nations and the IPCC. The technical feasibility of small-scale floating structures has already been demonstrated in many projects all over the world. These projects support different functions such as housing, recreation, and energy production. What is lacking to apply this technology at a larger scale is the required integrated governance, technical, social, and ecological insights for upscaling, in order to address societal challenges such as land scarcity and climate impacts. These insights are needed to move from “proof-of-concept” to “proof-of-scale”. Although the technical challenges of upscaling floating structures have already received attention in the international research community, and some research results have been published about the ecological impacts recently, the social aspects and stakeholder acceptance of large-scale floating developments are still considered a knowledge gap. This article therefore explores the social conditions that would enable the stakeholder acceptance of large-scale floating developments. By a scientific literature review, we investigate which insights and lessons can be derived that influence stakeholder acceptance of large-scale floating developments. Theoretical frameworks and concepts that are studied include the following: resilience, transformation, receptivity theories on social value and governance. Additionally, we will draw lessons from realized projects in the Netherlands and discussions of the Thinktank “Governance of Floating Cities”. While the investigated projects still have a relatively small scale, we expect that some of the success factors are also relevant for the upscaling of floating structures internationally. Finally, based on the results, we will draw up recommendations for future research on this topic.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 3rd World Conference on Floating Solutions - WCFS 2023
EditorsTomoki Ikoma, Shigeru Tabeta, Soon Heng Lim, Chien Ming Wang
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages545-563
Number of pages19
ISBN (Electronic)978-981-97-0495-8
ISBN (Print)978-981-97-0494-1, 978-981-97-0497-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Event3rd World Conference on Floating Solutions, WCFS 2023 - Tokyo, Japan
Duration: 28-Aug-202330-Aug-2023

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume465
ISSN (Print)2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)2366-2565

Conference

Conference3rd World Conference on Floating Solutions, WCFS 2023
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityTokyo
Period28/08/202330/08/2023

Keywords

  • Floating structures
  • Governance
  • Social acceptance
  • Social values
  • Stakeholders

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