| Title: |
Making collaborative water governance accountable? The River Chief System in China |
| Authors: |
Zhou, Xiaomeng; Lin, Yanliu; Hooimeijer, Pieter; Monstadt, Jochen; Planning Support Science; Urban Living and Social Networks; Govern.of Urban Dynamics and Transitions |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Subject Terms: |
Clean water and sanitation; Collaborative governance; River Chief System; accountability; cross-boundary water governance; institutional arrangements; Development; Water Science and Technology |
| Description: |
The River Chief System (RCS) represents a collaborative water governance approach in China that promotes cross-boundary collaboration and enhanced accountability mechanisms. However, collaborative governance is often criticized for compromising accountability. This study develops a conceptual framework that focuses on both vertical and horizontal accountability within the RCS. Using the RCS in Xiamen as a case study, the findings highlight the significant role of vertical accountability in shaping actors’ behaviour in multiple forms of collaboration. In contrast, horizontal accountability largely remains informal and ineffective. The study furthers the understanding of intricate accountability in collaborative water governance under an authoritarian context. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
0790-0627 |
| Relation: |
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/477343 |
| Availability: |
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/477343 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/OpenAccess |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.E99DA22C |
| Database: |
BASE |