Wesselo, Gijs (2022) Rekindling momentum. How rejected major infrastructure projects regain political approval. Master thesis.
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Abstract
To create a policy window, one needs to align the political perception of the problem at hand and connect this logically to the desired policy solution. In doing so, policy entrepreneurs apply methods of persuasive storytelling, which function as a series of triggering moments steering the course of the decision-making process. Although much is written about the creation of policy windows, little attention is paid to situations in which the proposed spatial intervention has a history of political rejection. This research analyses the lobbying activities and circumstances which contribute to the rekindling of momentum for infrastructure projects of national interest. An instrumental case study on the lobbying process behind the Dutch railway project the “Lelylijn”, based on a documentary data analysis of public records and media sources and interviews with key lobbying actors, is performed to unravel the intentional and accidental triggering moments which have been factors in regaining political approval. The history of rejected proposals for the Lelylijn project has resulted in a more pragmatic and diverse storyline and increased attention to support from regional and European authorities. A combination of external developments such as the growing attention for sustainability and the Dutch housing crisis is strategically framed to fit the bundle of storylines developed to promote the rail infrastructure project. The suggestion is made that the malleability of policy deliberation processes is amplified. More recognition is needed for the unknown factors affecting the intentional, persuasive actions performed by the policy entrepreneur. Further research is necessary on the role of expert input on the formation of policy windows and the role of persuasive storytelling in retaining momentum on the long-term.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Environmental & Infrastructure Planning |
| Supervisor: | Dijk, T. van |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Aug 2022 13:44 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Aug 2022 13:44 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3967 |
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