A Dive into Floods: An assessment of factors influencing the implementation of the EU Flood Directive in the Netherlands

Abstract

The effect of an EU Directive is determined by its implementation in each Member States individually, which makes it an important research objective to understand the progress of implementation processes. Besides, this research is important since it studies flood management, which becomes increasingly important due to rising flood risks in Europe and especially in the vulnerable Dutch Delta area. Therefore, this master research did analyze the implementation process of the EU Flood Directive in the Netherlands. Factors hindering and/or stimulating the implementation process are distinguished by a comparative case-study research in the Meuse and Rhine-west catchment area and by executing a survey research for the whole Netherlands. Finally, recommendations are made for the further implementation of the EU Flood Directive and other Directives.