TY - JOUR

T1 - Community Acceptance of Nature-Based Solutions in the Delta of the Tordera River, Catalonia

AU - Noblega Carriquiry, Andrea

AU - March, Hug

AU - Sauri, David

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

PY - 2022/4/14

Y1 - 2022/4/14

N2 - Much has been debated regarding the environmental and economic aspects that conformthe pillars of sustainability in nature-based solutions (NbSs). However, the social implications arelagging behind in both theory and practice. NbSs are not inherently socially and environmentallyjust and they might not work for or benefit everyone. On the contrary, they may lead to unequalenvironmental tradeoffs influencing therefore community acceptance. This research explored thedifferent levels of community acceptance of NbSs in the Tordera delta (Catalonia) through structuredinterviews and Q-methodology with representative stakeholders. It pretended to contribute to morejust NbS discussions by identifying variables of community acceptance through a socio-environmentalperspective. The results exposed existing socio-economic and socio-spatial differences that causeunequal co-benefits and tradeoffs among stakeholders of the area. Three distinctive discourseswere identified: (1) NbSs as an opportunity to re-naturalize the river; (2) the possibility of NbSimplementation if aligned with the current socio-economic structure of the delta; and (3) the beliefin a hybrid NbS future, combining grey infrastructure and NbSs. Building on those results anddiscussions, the paper reflected on a restructuration of the delta’s governance through furthercollaborative processes to seek a more socio-environmentally just and inclusive NbSs in the area.

AB - Much has been debated regarding the environmental and economic aspects that conformthe pillars of sustainability in nature-based solutions (NbSs). However, the social implications arelagging behind in both theory and practice. NbSs are not inherently socially and environmentallyjust and they might not work for or benefit everyone. On the contrary, they may lead to unequalenvironmental tradeoffs influencing therefore community acceptance. This research explored thedifferent levels of community acceptance of NbSs in the Tordera delta (Catalonia) through structuredinterviews and Q-methodology with representative stakeholders. It pretended to contribute to morejust NbS discussions by identifying variables of community acceptance through a socio-environmentalperspective. The results exposed existing socio-economic and socio-spatial differences that causeunequal co-benefits and tradeoffs among stakeholders of the area. Three distinctive discourseswere identified: (1) NbSs as an opportunity to re-naturalize the river; (2) the possibility of NbSimplementation if aligned with the current socio-economic structure of the delta; and (3) the beliefin a hybrid NbS future, combining grey infrastructure and NbSs. Building on those results anddiscussions, the paper reflected on a restructuration of the delta’s governance through furthercollaborative processes to seek a more socio-environmentally just and inclusive NbSs in the area.

KW - social acceptance

KW - environmental tradeoffs

KW - Social justice

KW - Q-methodology

KW - stakeholder discourses

KW - nature-based solutions

KW - Tordera River

KW - Catalonia

KW - social justice

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85129051496&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3390/land11040579

DO - 10.3390/land11040579

M3 - Article

VL - 11

SP - 1

EP - 23

JO - Land

JF - Land

IS - 4

M1 - 579

ER -