From directive to practice: implementing gradual land-water transitions in Markermeer

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2025-06-27

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en

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The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to achieve good chemical and ecological status for all EU waterbodies (European Commission, 2023). The Netherlands, however, still struggles to meet these objectives (Slagter, et al., 2024). One promising spatial measure is the implementation of gradual land-water transitions (GLWTs), which can contribute to the ecological quality (Heins et al., 2020). This research investigates what influences the degree of success of the implementation of GLWTs in the Markermeer. An embedded single case study was conducted, analysing four projects through desk research and fourteen semi-structured interviews. A new conceptual framework was developed, combining four policy implementation theories with the PPPE model on policy success. Results indicate that the degree of success of the implementation of GLWTs in the Markermeer is influenced by the alignment of four key factors: problem pressure, administrative capacities, role of actors, and legal and policy. If one of these is lacking, full implementation success across the programmatic, process, political, and endurance assessment can’t be achieved. Influential subfactors include political prioritisation, sufficient resources and process time, drive, cooperation, participation and support, and the role of the WFD as a project objective or assessment framework.

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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen