Table 1. Scheme of developments at three levels of scale (macro, meso, micro) that have influenced the system state of water management in The Netherlands over a time period (1975–2004). System states are described in terms of management concept, approach, and priorities (1975, 1985, 1995, 2004). Taken from (van der Brugge et al. 2005). System state 1975 Events System state 1985 Events System state 1995 Events System state 2004 Macro developments Supranational: Growing environmental awareness Rio Summit (1992) Johannesburg summit (2002) National: Economic growth Limits to growth Climate Change Sea level rise EU Water Framework Directive Delta Works Calamities (ecological impact) 1st National Environmental Policy Plan 1st Nature Policy Plan Floods (1993, 1995) National Environmental Policy Plan 2, 3, 4 (NMP2-4) Environmental Management Act Meso developments Technocratic water management Delta Works 2nd National Policy Memorandum Water Management Protests against water management approach Water System management 3rd National Policy Memorandum Water Management (1989) Reorganization Rijkswaterstaat Reorganization Regional water boards Decentralization Integral water management WB21 (1999) 4th National Policy Memorandum Water Management (1998) Delta Plan Rivers Adaptive water management Engineering approach Hierarchical organization (top-down) Engineering approach Hierarchical organization (top-down) Room for Water Democratic organization (Stakeholder participation) Adaptation and retention Participatory Policy process Priorities: Safety Agriculture Priorities: Safety Agriculture Ecology Priorities: Safety Nature development Agriculture Spatial Planning Priorities: Safety Spatial Planning Nature development Agriculture Micro developments Environment Dept. in Delta Dienst dealing with water (1985) Restoration projects Plan Ooievaar (1987) Living Rivers (1992) Dealing with the surrounding area (1992) Room for Rivers (1995) Tackling flooding (1998)