Planning adaptive futures: convincing stakeholder uncertainty isn’t a bug, it’s a feature

Climate change isn’t just shifting our weather; it’s rewriting the rules of planning. In vulnerable landscapes like the Dutch sandy soils, traditional "predict-and-control" models are failing. To build true climate resilience, we must stop treating uncertainty as a flaw and start embracing it as a tool.

This thesis explores how participatory methods can transform how stakeholders navigate long-term decision-making. Through a systematic literature review, adaptation workshops with the drinking water sector, a serious game simulating 50 years of climate choices, and a Delphi study establishing consensus indicators, this research tests the limits and leverage points of collaboration.

The findings show a clear path forward: technical solutions are only half the battle. Achieving climate resilience requires a fundamental shift in mindset. By strategically combining serious games, pathways, and expert consensus, we can foster systems thinking, embrace flexibility, and co-create institutional frameworks ready for an unpredictable future.