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Title of the thesis: Networks in Finnish water resources governance: A multilayer social network analysis

Thesis defender: Thomas Banafa
Opponent: Professor Nicola Ulibarri, University of California, USA
Custos: Associate Professor Marko Keskinen, Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Built Environment

Influence in water governance does not always follow formal position – doctoral thesis reveals the hidden networks of Finnish water governance
 
Water use in Finland involves a growing number of interdependent uses and goals, such as hydropower, migratory fish, flood protection, biodiversity, industry and food production. These are reconciled among many actors in both administrative and voluntary processes. Who ultimately holds influence in these processes, and who ends up carrying responsibility, cannot be read from the laws, decrees and guidelines that define them.

In his doctoral thesis, Thomas Banafa studied how the actors in water governance, for example, authorities, municipalities, companies and organizations, are connected to one another and where their influence comes from. The processes were modeled as multilayer social networks built from plans, meeting memos, permit decisions and legal texts. The case studies covered national flood risk management, river basin management and Water Vision Processes in the Oulujoki and Iijoki river basins, and a hydropower permit process on the Iijoki river.

The main finding is that influence does not follow formal position. In flood risk management, property owners emerged as the most central actor, since most measures are their responsibility – even though they take no part in planning and may not be aware of their role. In river basin management and Water Vision Processes, an organization's influence depended strongly on whether its goals were aligned with or in conflict with those of others. The thesis also developed ways to describe and analyze the water governance system – its actors, processes and the legislation that defines them – with network models.

The network analysis revealed structures that the plans and processes alone do not show. In flood risk management, actors from 21 regions formed a single nationwide network, even though each region plans its measures separately. In river basin management, representatives of industry and hydropower remained disconnected from the others, whereas the voluntary Water Vision Processes connected all actors.

The results can be used in designing participatory processes. Responsibilities assigned to actors outside the public sector should be recognized and matched with adequate resources. As pressures on water use grow, so does the need to understand the actual roles of the actors involved. Effective and legitimate water governance cannot be achieved by changing rules alone; it also requires an understanding of the actors and the relationships between them.

Key words: water resources governance, network governance, social network analysis, flood risk management, river basin management, hydropower

Thesis available for public display 7 days prior to the defence at . 

Contact information: thomas.banafa@aalto.fi,
+358 44 366 6886