The Dutch Mobiliteitsfonds: evolution or revolution in infrastructure planning?

Name Simon de Crom Programme Master Urban Governance (thesis) Student number 550303 Supervisor Dr. Leon van den Dool Second reader Prof. dr. Darren McCauley Commissioned by AT Osborne Internship supervisor Dr. Frits Verhees Date 10-08-2020 Word count 19915 Acknowledgements Dear reader, This thesis is the result of half a year of dedication and is the final piece of my Master Urban Governance at Erasmus University and thus my time as a student. During those five years, I have learned a lot, both personal and educational. For the last bit of this era, I must thank several people. People who encouraged me to challenge myself and to carry on. I was allowed to conduct my research for AT Osborne. A period that looked very different than planned due to the Coronavirus. A period with fewer personal (physical) gatherings, but I did not have to write my thesis alone. Several people have supported me during the process. Even though that was not always easy. First, I would like to thank my supervisor Leon van den Dool for his time, guidance, and virtual coffees. I know how busy the last months have been for you, but whenever we had a meeting, I had the feeling that you had all the time to help me, even on your holiday. I am very grateful. Furthermore, I am very grateful to Frits Verhees, my AT Osborne supervisor. I have experienced how complex the world of infrastructure and mobility is and that is why I am very grateful for his substance guidance. The tips he gave, of which I did not always see the importance immediately, turned all out to be of great importance later. Without this subject-specific knowledge, it would have become very difficult for me to arrive at this product. Therefore, Frits, thank you very much. Finally, I would like to thank my girlfriend, friends, family, and roommates for making the past 6 months bearable. It has been a tough job and I am truly grateful for your constant support. Especially during a time when having personal contact came under pressure, you showed how important you are to me. Thank you. Dear reader, enjoy reading my thesis! Simon de Crom Summary In infrastructure planning, uncertainties are emerging, and the environment is becoming increasingly complex. This requires an adaptive government that can deal with new challenges. For this reason, the Dutch government will replace the Infrastructuurfonds (Infrastructure fund) with the Mobiliteitsfonds (Mobility fund). A change in funds to be more flexible, collaborative, and innovative. The current Infrastructuurfonds focuses on expanding capacity and there is to a lesser extent room for adaptive planning. For this reason, this study analyses the impact of the Infrastructuurfonds with the Mobiliteitsfonds and determines to what extent adaptive planning can contribute to a more future-proof mobility planning. Adaptive planning is to be able to deal with changing circumstances during a process without limiting future options. This thesis examines two roadway trajectories that both show to some extent characteristics of adaptive planning. With interviews and documents analysis is analysed to what extent it can be expected that the Mobiliteitsfonds will lead to more adaptive planning, contributing to a more future-proof mobility planning in the Netherlands. It is determined how the Mobiliteitsfonds can enhance adaptive capacity, what current challenges are in mobility planning and how adaptive planning is expected to alleviate those challenges and to what extent the Mobiliteitsfonds can meet the conditions for future-proof mobility planning. The interviews stress the importance of clear goals and giving residents clarity as soon as possible. For this reason, it is argued, it is impossible to be entirely adaptive. Yet, it is argued, to some extent adaptivity is already possible. However, evaluation, a focus on learning and experimenting could improve to be more adaptive. The main contribution of the Mobiliteitsfonds to adaptive planning is that the Mobiliteitsfonds will promote an integral consideration of possible solutions and modalities. Possibly, the experienced bulkheads between modalities are removed and one will consider other solutions then infrastructure solely. In this way, the Mobiliteitsfonds will contribute to a more future-proof planning practice, but not just the Mobiliteitsfonds can facilitate the shift towards future-proof planning. Thus, the Mobiliteitsfonds is considered to be the confirmation of a movement that has already been deployed. It is an evolution instead of the revolution I expected. Therefore, it is recommended that professionals show the possibilities of adaptive planning. Adaptive planning has a lot to offer, but one should know the possibilities. The possibilities are not always known amongst stakeholders. One of the manners to show the possibilities of adaptive planning is to conduct experiments. Regarding infrastructure and mobility planning, much is to be gained in conducting experiments.