Dutch planning law fits adaptive law but raises justice concerns

What the study found: The article argues that the recently promulgated Dutch Environmental Planning Act conforms to many characteristics of adaptive law, but also facilitates a neoliberal spatial planning regime.
Why the authors say this matters: The study suggests that adaptive law can become a facilitator of neoliberal planning practices when justice concerns are not given enough attention, and the authors conclude that incorporating justice into adaptive law and planning would benefit resilience and increase transformative potential.
What the researchers tested: The author assessed the Dutch Environmental Planning Act using frameworks of adaptive law and environmental justice. The article examines whether the Act matches adaptive planning requirements such as flexible, participatory, and network-oriented procedures based on scientific input and cyclical processes.
What worked and what didn't: The Act appears to align with many adaptive law characteristics. However, the argument is that it also supports a neoliberal spatial planning regime, and this is linked to insufficient attention to justice.
What to keep in mind: The available summary does not describe empirical data, specific case details, or limitations beyond the scope of the abstract.

Key points

• The Dutch Environmental Planning Act is said to fit many characteristics of adaptive law.
• The article argues that the Act also facilitates a neoliberal spatial planning regime.
• The authors link this problem to insufficient attention to justice concerns.
• The study suggests that adding justice to adaptive law and planning could benefit resilience.
• The abstract frames the analysis using adaptive law and environmental justice.