Living lab monitoring in Utrecht
Development of dashboard to monitor climate adaptation in Utrecht
Customer
Location
Duration
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Province of Utrecht
Province of Utrecht
2020-2022
Living lab monitoring in Utrecht
Development of dashboard to monitor climate adaptation in Utrecht
Customer
Location
Duration
Read more
Province of Utrecht
Province of Utrecht
2020-2022

The Climate Adaptation programme 2020-2023 from the province of Utrecht aims to intensify and accelerate climate adaptation. Climate adaptation must become a guiding component of the entire province’s policy. Will the province achieve these goals? And are its efforts contributing sufficiently to the goal of being climate-proof and water-proof by 2050? To find out, the province wants to monitor the effects of climate change and the results of adaptation measures.
The province has asked CAS to explore together how to visualise the current situation and progress of climate adaptation. This involves both progress of its own activities and impacts. One of the results of this exploration is the monitoring dashboard we developed for the province.



Phase 1: What does the province want to monitor?
The first phase of this project ran from 2020 to 2021. We made an inventory of what the province of Utrecht would like to monitor and what possibilities there were to do so. We summarised the results of that inventory in a report. In doing so, we were guided by the focus of the Climate Adaptation Programme 2020-2023. Brainstorming sessions, workshops and participation in meetings of the climate adaptation programme team provided us with insights into where the province’s needs were in terms of monitoring. We also explored a monitoring system together, including with other monitoring projects through the Climate Adaptation Monitoring Lab. These projects not only provided inspiration for the province, but they also offered opportunities to align monitoring from different parties and make them more compatible.
Phase 2: Development of the dashboard
The second phase of the project ran from 2021 to 2022. The monitoring plan developed in the first phase was then further developed. Also, a digital monitoring dashboard was developed that allows the province to monitor its own climate adaptation policy efforts. The set-up of the provincial vision on spatial planning and the environment was taken as a starting point for this. The dashboard thus provides insight into the extent to which climate adaptation is embedded in the programmes of the provincial strategy.
Phase 1: What does the province want to monitor?
The first phase of this project ran from 2020 to 2021. We made an inventory of what the province of Utrecht would like to monitor and what possibilities there were to do so. We summarised the results of that inventory in a report. In doing so, we were guided by the focus of the Climate Adaptation Programme 2020-2023. Brainstorming sessions, workshops and participation in meetings of the climate adaptation programme team provided us with insights into where the province’s needs were in terms of monitoring. We also explored a monitoring system together, including with other monitoring projects through the Climate Adaptation Monitoring Lab. These projects not only provided inspiration for the province, but they also offered opportunities to align monitoring from different parties and make them more compatible.
Phase 2: Development of the dashboard
The second phase of the project ran from 2021 to 2022. The monitoring plan developed in the first phase was then further developed. Also, a digital monitoring dashboard was developed that allows the province to monitor its own climate adaptation policy efforts. The set-up of the provincial vision on spatial planning and the environment was taken as a starting point for this. The dashboard thus provides insight into the extent to which climate adaptation is embedded in the programmes of the provincial strategy.
Two dashboards inspired each other
In the same period, we also worked on a monitoring project with the water board Hoogheemraadschap Stichtse Rijnlanden. This water board had the same monitoring needs and questions. Therefore, we deliberately sought cooperation and close coordination between the two projects. Through this interaction, they inspired each other and good ideas came faster. This allowed us to make big strides in both projects in a relatively short time. As a result, we developed two policy-level monitoring dashboards. The dashboards are similar in design but adapted to the specific needs of each party.
Two dashboards inspired each other
In the same period, we also worked on a monitoring project with the water board Hoogheemraadschap Stichtse Rijnlanden. This water board had the same monitoring needs and questions. Therefore, we deliberately sought cooperation and close coordination between the two projects. Through this interaction, they inspired each other and good ideas came faster. This allowed us to make big strides in both projects in a relatively short time. As a result, we developed two policy-level monitoring dashboards. The dashboards are similar in design but adapted to the specific needs of each party.
How does the province use the dashboard?
The province of Utrecht uses the monitoring dashboard to monitor the efforts of the climate adaptation programme at policy level. The dashboard gives the province insight into how strongly climate adaptation is embedded in the programmes of the vision on spatial planning and the environment. After completion of the project, the province will further flesh out the dashboard in terms of content. In the coming period, it will have to become clear whether the dashboard fully meets the province’s monitoring needs.
How does the province use the dashboard?
The province of Utrecht uses the monitoring dashboard to monitor the efforts of the climate adaptation programme at policy level. The dashboard gives the province insight into how strongly climate adaptation is embedded in the programmes of the vision on spatial planning and the environment. After completion of the project, the province will further flesh out the dashboard in terms of content. In the coming period, it will have to become clear whether the dashboard fully meets the province’s monitoring needs.