URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING Masters Thesis Assignment Green Infrastructure in Amsterdam: an analysis of current implementation, the potential benefits and the context-specific barriers affecting expansion of networks Prepared for: Dr Mendel Giezen Graduate School of Social Sciences University of Amsterdam The Netherlands Prepared by: Christi Vosloo 11129042 Submission Date: 20 June 2016 i Plagiarism Declaration i) I know that plagiarism is wrong. Plagiarism is to use another’s work and pretend that it is one’s own, ii) I have used the Harvard-UVA Convention for citation and referencing. Each contribution to, and quotation in, this report from the work(s) of other people has been attributed, and has been cited and referenced, iii) This report is my own work, iv) I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his or her own work, and v) I acknowledge that copying someone else’s work, or part of it, is wrong, and declare that this is my own work. Name Student Number Date Signature Christi Katherine Vosloo 11129042 20/06/2016 [Cover Image Source: Rooftop Revolutions, 2016] Masters Thesis: Green Infrastructure in Amsterdam Plagiarism Declaration ii Masters Thesis: Green Infrastructure in Amsterdam Plagiarism Declaration iii Acknowledgements I would like to thank my mother and my father for allowing me the opportunity to receive an education and for seeing the value it holds for my future and fulfilment. Their support and encouragement throughout these past five years has meant everything to me and I am forever grateful. I would like to thank my brother and sister for standing by my side and for always being my greatest cheerleaders. I am grateful to my colleagues who made this international experience a memory that will last a lifetime. I would like to thank my supervisor Professor Mendel Giezen for his constant support and expertise throughout this process, thesis writing and researching takes an extended amount of time and without his guidance it would not have been possible. I would like to thank my masters lecturers Professor Willem Salet, Beatriz Pineda Rivella, Professor Federico Savini, Professor Tuna Tasan Kok, Professor Luca Bertolini and Professor Marco te Brömmelstroet for inspiring me to delve deeper, think critically and aim higher. For my supportive and loving parents Masters Thesis: Green Infrastructure in Amsterdam Acknowledgements iv Abstract In an urbanizing world, cities such as Amsterdam need to undergo a transformation to become climate adapted, prepared and robust. This transition is needed to address surface water runoff challenges caused by the effects of climate of change, increased frequency of extreme weather events and changing seasonality. In the city of Amsterdam permeable green space and permeable green infrastructure is limited despite a green roof subsidy provided by the government. This research investigates the current implementation, the potential green infrastructure holds in improving surface water runoff in the city and the current policy measures and policy instruments. The barriers to implementation and expansion of green infrastructure in existing buildings in Amsterdam are investigated, with the hope to offer potential solutions and recommendations for the city of Amsterdam. This study focuses on the case study of Amsterdam by conducting two focused literature reviews and consulting experts from Waternet, Amsterdam Rainproof, De Dak Dokters, Deltares and Utrecht University. Citizens of Amsterdam were interviewed to ascertain their level of awareness and assess their perception of green infrastructure. Each expert respondent ranked the barriers in order of importance using Q-Methodology, with this mixed method approach offering a level of comprehensiveness that simply one approach may not attain. The literature review and analysis indicated a clear under realization of permeable green infrastructures in Amsterdam with 14,9% of the study area consisting of permeable green space. Analyses by Rooftop Solutions indicated that less than 1% of rooftops in Amsterdam are green. The most important barriers as identified by the experts included the cost of installation and maintenance which remains twice as costly even when including the green roof subsidy, the lack of ‘know-how’ of citizens, the lack of policy, added technical measures needed to ensure safe installation, a lack of accurate data which is still needed to create a convincing business case and the soft benefits that are difficult to monetize, resulting in subjective decisions on a case by case basis. From the combined data analysis I concluded that one highly important barrier was a mismatch between policy instruments and implementation barriers in Amsterdam. The only currently implemented policy instrument is a green roof subsidy which only addresses the financial question while the barriers identified are a variety of financial, social and institutional factors. This mismatch results in important barriers remaining unchallenged. The citizen interviews indicated an extreme lack of awareness and ‘know-how’ with regards to green roofs in Amsterdam despite the positive attitude towards their presence. I recommend that through strong political decision-making and support, effective policy could be implemented to ensure that that new developments will include a green infrastructure measure. Long-term educational school programs could help lead to generational change and encourage the youth to start their own initiatives and become involved. Deregulation of complex green roof regulations is necessary to ensure that there are fewer unnecessary and deterring spatial requirements. A more comprehensive approach is important Masters Thesis: Green Infrastructure in Amsterdam Abstract v in ensuring long-term climate adaption, with focus on purely rainproof measures possibly neglecting other important areas. I advocate for more green roof research quantifying the positive benefits and providing scientific data convincing for the business case. Masters Thesis: Green Infrastructure in Amsterdam Abstract vi Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1-1 1.1 Problem Statement 1-1 1.2 Research Goal and Objectives 1-2 1.3 Research Questions 1-2 1.4 Research Strategy 1-2 1.5 Study Outline 1-3 2. Theoretical Chapter 2-1 2.1 Urbanization in Relation to Surface Water Runoff 2-1 2.2 Green Infrastructure 2-1 2.3 Surface Water Runoff 2-4 2.4 Policy Instruments 2-4 2.4.1 The Choice Versus Resource Approach 2-4 2.5 Implementation Theory 2-6 2.5.1 Top-Down Implementation 2-7 2.5.2 Bottom-Up Implementation 2-8 3. Barriers of Green Infrastructure Implementation Explained 3-11 3.1 Social Barriers 3-11 3.2 Institutional Barriers 3-12 3.3 Economic Barriers 3-12 3.4 Physical Barriers 3-12 3.5 Educational Barriers 3-13 3.6 Conceptual Model 3-13 4. Research Design 4-1 4.1 Methodology 4-1 4.2 Case Selection 4-1 4.3 Focused Literature Review 4-1 4.4 Semi-structured Interviews 4-2 4.4.1 Selection of Respondents 4-2 4.4.2 Transcribing, Coding and Analysing 4-2 4.5 Q- Methodology 4-2 4.5.1 Design Concourse 4-3 Masters Thesis: Green Infrastructure in Amsterdam Table of Contents vii 4.5.2 Selecting Respondents 4-3 4.5.3 Q-Sorting 4-3 4.5.4 Data Analysis and Interpretation 4-4 4.6 Operationalization 4-4 4.7 Strengths of Mixed Methods 4-4 4.8 Limitations of Methods 4-5 5. The Potential of Green Infrastructure in Amsterdam 5-1 5.1 Current Organizations and Companies 5-1 5.1.1 Waternet 5-2 5.1.2 Amsterdam Rainproof 5-2 5.1.3 De Dak Dokters 5-3 5.1.4 De Groene Grachten 5-3 5.1.5 De Gezonde Stad 5-3 5.1.6 Rooftop Revolution 5-4 5.2 Current Policies & Incentives 5-4 5.2.1 Green Roof Subsidy 5-4 5.2.2 Tax Scheme 5-5 5.2.3 Insurance Fee Reduction 5-5 5.2.4 Lack of Policy 5-5 5.3 Quantifying the Current Situation 5-6 5.4 Quantifying Potential Area Available 5-7 5.5 Benefits 5-8 5.5.1 Water 5-8 5.5.2 Habitat and Biodiversity 5-10 5.5.3 Air Quality 5-12 5.5.4 Urban Heat Island Effect 5-13 5.5.5 Energy Efficiency 5-14 6. Results: Expert and Citizen Perception of the Current Situation 6-1 6.1 Expert Opinion of the Green Infrastructure Potential in Amsterdam 6-2 6.1.1 Potential 6-2 6.2 Expert Perception And Importance of Greatest Challenges Explained 6-5 6.2.1 Social Barriers 6-5 6.2.2 Institutional Barriers 6-6 6.2.3 Economic Barriers 6-8 6.2.4 Physical Barriers 6-9 6.3 Critiques of the Green Roof Subsidy 6-10 6.3.1 Does not Ensure Quality 6-10 Masters Thesis: Green Infrastructure in Amsterdam Table of Contents viii 6.3.2 Benefits Water Authority 6-10 6.3.3 Mobilizes Non-Target Group 6-11 6.3.4 Too Complex 6-11 6.4 Potential Solutions 6-11 6.4.1 The Right Dialogue 6-11 6.4.2 Deregulation 6-11 6.4.3 Small Scale Solution Measurement System 6-12 6.4.4 An Improved Subsidization System 6-12 6.4.5 Showcase Projects 6-12 6.4.6 Crowd-Funding Start Up: Rooftop Revolutions 6-13 6.4.7 Certifications 6-13 6.4.8 Ideological Shift with More Evidence 6-13 6.4.9 Focus on Intensive Roofs 6-13 6.4.10 The Right Marketing 6-13 6.4.11 Cheaper Technology 6-14 6.4.12 Start with Younger Generations 6-14 6.4.13 Changing Infrastructure at the Right Moment 6-14 6.4.14 Mainstreaming 6-15 6.4.15 Insurance Scheme and Tax Scheme 6-15 6.4.16 Policy 6-16 6.5 Citizen Perspectives 6-16 6.5.1 Perception of Green Roofs 6-16 6.5.2 Public Awareness 6-16 6.5.3 Water Issues 6-17 6.5.4 Amsterdam as a Green City 6-17 7.