The Longitudinal Dams : Exploring place attachment and Visions of Nature of recreationists along the Waal
Keywords
Loading...
Authors
Issue Date
2014-09
Language
en
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
As a possible next step in ensuring the safety and sustainability of the Dutch river landscape,
Rijkswaterstaat has initiated a pilot project called ‘longitudinal dams Waal’. These longitudinal dams
are currently replacing some of the groynes in the Waal between the villages of Wamel and
Ophemert, and are projected to combat dangerously high and low water levels, aid nature
development, and provide a safer place to recreate.
However, the fishermen and boaters along the Waal also face possible threats to their
recreational activities. Groyne removal reduces opportunities for fishing, and the impacts on nature
and flood safety are not uncontested. On a more emotional level, however, previous research
indicates that human intervention in natural and restorative places can engender strong resistance.
This thesis explores the emotional attachments of fishermen and boaters to nature in
general, and to this trajectory of the Waal specifically. On the one hand, we make use of the concept
of place attachment to investigate the bond these recreationists have with the area, such as their
social attachments and their dependency on the area. On the other hand, we employ the theory of
Visions of Nature to explore their lay philosophy of nature. This includes their valuation of nature,
their images of nature, and their reflections on the human-nature relationship.
We make use of a mixed methods design. We use quantitative data from a small-scale
survey (N = 75) to run several factor analyses, and to explore relationships using contingency tables.
We also conducted 8 in-depth interviews in order to provide further depth and understanding to our
quantitative findings. In a separate chapter we reflect on the ontological and epistemological
positioning of a mixed methods researcher.
Our analysis of Visions of Nature indicates that our respondents greatly value nature, while
making a clear distinction between wild and functional natures, with a third image deviating from
our own model. Concerning the human-nature relationship, respondents most strongly adhere to a
Guardianship image, combining the traditional Steward with the Participant. This Guardian is argued
to be different from the one found in earlier studies.
Concerning place attachment, respondents recognise some of the traditional dimensions of
attachment to places, but also a different form of attachment that we refer to as belongingness. We
also find that the fishermen in our sample are significantly more attached to the area than the
boaters.
Respondents’ evaluations of the intended measures are largely negative, with boaters being
more optimistic than fishermen. Contingency tables reveal that especially Images of Nature,
recreation role and trust in Rijkswaterstaat influence respondents’ evaluation of the intended
measures.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen