56 This evaluation starts with a characterization of two communities of practice, i.e. that of Habiforum as the central policy planner and InnovationNetwork/Stroming as the ‘architects’ of the ‘New Rivers’ concept (chapter 2). We then provide a reconstruction of the regional planning process in Ooijen-Wanssum (chapter 3). Six different phases are distinguished: 1) ‘initiation’; 2) ‘building commitment among local residents and policymakers and mobilizing local knowledge’; 3) ‘constructing strategies’; 4) ‘evaluating strategies’; 5) ‘conflicting cultures of regional planning’, and 6) ‘mobilizing (water) expertise and second-opinion expertise’. For each phase, we describe what knowledge was mobilized, how and by whom. Next, we analyse how knowledge mobilization facilitated (or impeded) the regional planning process in Ooijen-Wanssum and end with lessons for (future) regional planning practice (chapters 4 and 5). The three most salient lessons of the Ooijen-Wanssum regional planning experiment are: • Knowledge mobilization in Ooijen-Wanssum is characterized by the involvement of many regional stakeholders varying from citizens, farmers and other entrepreneurs, interest groups and policymakers. Habiforum acted as the central player mobilizing, selecting, prioritizing and communicating knowledge between the different knowledge groups. One key lesson was that collecting knowledge is not sufficient in itself. It is also important to create conditions for dialogue and co-construction of policy by different stakeholders/ knowledge owners. • Good regional planning not only involves constructing solid links between different knowledge types and between content and process, but also ensuring sufficient visibility and accountability of relevant governmental actors. The reconstruction and analysis of the Ooijen-Wanssum case showed that citizens – despite their involvement through various forms of consultation, including home visits – feel ignored if (local) governments are not visible during the participatory process. • ‘New Rivers’ was a powerful concept that (initially) functioned as a ‘bridge’ between diverse perspectives, interests and expectations in the region of Ooijen-Wanssum. However, the concept would probably have put down deeper roots if the policy process had included a mutual learning process between different knowledge owners / stakeholders. Mutual learning can enable regional actors to question and challenge (externally developed) concepts and knowledge at an early stage which, in the case of Ooijen-Wanssum, would have created opportunities for giving the ‘New Rivers’ idea more regional relevance and significance. The concept ‘New Rivers’ will not be realized in Ooijen-Wanssum in the original documented form. However the fundamental ideas still play a role in the planning process. The future will tell how the coming interventions in the area will reflect parts of the ideas. Pagina 63
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