The policy and social dimension of restoration thinking: Paying greater attention to 'interdependency' in restoration governing practice
Prêter plus d'attention aux 'interdépendances' dans l'analyse de la gouvernance de la restauration des rivières
Résumé
What explains governing choices managing river restoration, including the choice not to restore the river? One answer to this question is to say that the policy and social dimension is a critical factor. However, this category is very broad, offering little specific guidance for research. In response, our aim in this chapter is to propose a new way of un-packing this dimension into a set of research questions paying greater attention to 'interdependency' in restoration governing practice. Three main types of interdependencies are highlighted: regulatory interdependencies, territorial interdependencies and knowledge interdependencies. In order to illustrate our argument, we have re-read the main results of a number of published case studies through the lens of our 'interdependency' framework. We have also provided a blueprint for a case study on the politics of interdependencies governing restoration of the Ciron river in France. We conclude by inviting reflection upon a number of points in relation to river restoration which emerge logically from our 'interdependency' framework.