What the study found
The study finds that the Dutch Environmental Planning Act conforms to many characteristics of adaptive law, but it also facilitates a neoliberal spatial planning regime. The authors argue that this happens because justice concerns receive insufficient attention.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that incorporating justice concerns into adaptive law and planning would benefit resilience and increase its transformative potential. The study suggests that adaptivity alone is not enough if environmental justice is not included.
What the researchers tested
The article assesses the recently promulgated Dutch Environmental Planning Act using frameworks of adaptive law and environmental justice. The study examines whether the Act supports flexible, participatory, network-oriented planning with scientific input and cyclical processes.
What worked and what didn't
The Act appears to align with many features of adaptive law. However, the authors say it also enables a neoliberal spatial planning regime, and they link this to insufficient attention to justice.
What to keep in mind
The summary does not describe empirical data, specific case details, or separate limitations. The conclusions are based on the article's legal and conceptual assessment of one planning law.
Key points
- The Dutch Environmental Planning Act is described as matching many features of adaptive law.
- The authors say the Act also facilitates a neoliberal spatial planning regime.
- Insufficient attention to justice is presented as a key reason for this outcome.
- The study suggests that adding justice concerns could strengthen resilience.
- The analysis is based on frameworks of adaptive law and environmental justice.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Dutch Environmental Planning Act fits adaptive law but raises justice concerns
- Authors:
- Niels Tobias Arnoldussen
- Institutions:
- Tilburg University
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-11
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with scholarly research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.