Learning from participation: Quick scan of Participatory Action

Projects using innovative concepts in coastal defence -like ComCoast- can benefit greatly from participatory action. It can lead to innovative solutions with a broad societal support base, as is shown in the plan for water storage in the Overdiepse polder and the inundation compensation scheme for farmers in the upper River Dinkel region. This is one of the main lessons learned in the report Learning from participation, a quick scan of participatory action in the Netherlands relevant for coastal projects. Five projects have been analysed and a desk research study has been conducted. This has provided a wealth of material and experiences. These lessons will help with decisions about public participation and designing participatory processes in ComCoast and other water management and spatial projects.Civil Engineering and Geoscience