Dr J.J. (Jannes) Willems
Assistant professor in Urban Planning
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
GPIO : Urban Planning
Area of expertise: Spatial planning, water infrastructure, climate adaptation, institutional analysis, infrastructure planning
Visiting address
- Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
- Room number: C4.15
Postal address
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Postbus 15629
1001 NC Amsterdam
Contact details
Social media
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Profile
Jannes Willems is an assistant professor in urban planning at the University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on how city administrations are planning and managing green infrastructures, and their impact on communities and ecosystems. Jannes researches how these infrastructures can enable transformations towards more climate-proof cities, with a particular attention to the - often hidden - politics of infrastructure provision: a low-salience, yet highly complex policy domain with profound implications on cities and regions. He has worked in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research teams and conducted empirical fieldwork in Western-European cities. He currently leads the GREEN-INC research project (2024-2026) and is part of the REACH project (2026-2030).
Jannes teaches in the bachelor programmes Human Geography & Planning and Future Planet Studies, and the master programme Urban and Regional Planning. He is one of the editors of the Dutch professional magazine Rooilijn and the European online platform In Planning. He also co-hosts the Dutch podcast Onder Planologen.
Previously, he was affiliated with Erasmus University Rotterdam as a postdoctoral researcher (Department of Public Administration & Sociology). He was involved in the European Interreg project BEGIN and the KIMA research programme Marker Wadden. He also initiatied a NWO SURF research into the platforms Amsterdam Rainproof and Water Sensitive Rotterdam. Jannes defended his dissertation in at the University of Groningen (Department of Spatial Planning & Environment) in 2018. His dissertation entailed institutional change in the Dutch waterway sector, in the light of replacing major ageing infrastructure assets.
Jannes obtained his Research Master in Regional Studies (cum laude) and his Bachelor Environmental & Infrastructure Planning at the University of Groningen. In 2015, he was a 'visiting student' at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology (Environmental Policymaking & Planning group). During his master, he conducted fieldwork in Brazil as part of a research project of the Federal Universidade de Pará.
Expertise and research fields
- Spatial planning, water infrastructure, climate adaptation, institutional analysis, infrastructure planning and management
Relevant links
- Podcast ‘Onder Planologen’
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Research
Current research projects
- GREEN-INC: Growing Effective & Equitable Nature-based Solutions through Inclusive Climate Actions (role: PI; 2024-2026; with Dr Danielle MacCarthy and Dr Mendel Giezen);
- REACH Nexus project: Mitigating the Adverse Health Effects of Climate Change in Cities (with Dr Vanessa Harris, AUMC);
- Urban Blue Justice (2023-2028; with Dr Hebe Verrest and Dr Karen Paiva Henrique);
- Ways of Water-Port of Amsterdam (2024-2026; with Dr Mina Akhavan, Dr Elisabeth Krueger, Prof Maria Kaika, and Dr Mark van der Veen);
- Urban Food Commons (2023; with Dr Ciska Ulug and Dr Ying-Tzu Lin).
Jannes has received research funding from amongst others the EU Driving Urban Transitions partnership, NWO and UvA's Centre for Urban Studies.
Research methods
Qualitative methods: interviews, focusgroups, workshops, participatory observation
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Teaching & PhD Supervision
Courses
- Bachelor Human Geography & Planning: Introduction to Spatial Planning, Urban Dynamics: Amsterdam in context, and SPIEC – seminar;
- Bachelor Future Planet Studies: Introduction Spatial Planning, Food and the City, and bachelor thesis supervision;
- Master Urban and Regional Planning: Climate-Proof Development of Cities.
PhD supervision
- Fernando Schrupp Rivero: “Earthworks in the Bolivian Amazonia: Vivir Bien, Flood Mitigation, and the Ichilo-Mamoré Waterway” (with Prof Maria Kaika);
- Lekha Samant: "Planning Climate Justice in Urban Blue Spaces across the urban North and South" (with Dr Hebe Verrest and Dr Karen Paiva Henrique);
- Vivian Yeboah: "Just Urban Climate Governance: Exploring intersectional approaches to climate adaptation interventions in informal settlements in Accra, Ghana." (with Dr Hebe Verrest and Dr Karen Paiva Henrique)
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Publications
2026
Mitincu, C.-G., Hossu, C.-A., Iojă, I.-C., Niţă, M.-R., Calotă, A.-M., Niţă, A., Willems, J. J., & Li, J. (2026). Towards inclusive nature-based solutions: insights from a systematic review of European urban contexts. Sustainability Science, 21(4), 1847–1864. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-026-01839-3 [details]- Willems, J. J., van Gent, W., & Boterman, W. (2026). Blue Gentrification: Water as a Resource and Risk in Urban Transformation. Progress in Environmental Geography. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/27539687261464138
2025
- Schrupp Rivero, F., Willems, J., & Kaika, M. (2025). Socialización and labor unions in waterway port development in the Bolivian Amazon. Geoforum, 161, Article 104270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2025.104270 [details]
2024
- Custers, G., & Willems, J. J. (2024). Rotterdam in the 21st century: From ‘sick man’ to ‘capital of cool’. Cities : The International Journal of Urban Policy and Planning, 150, Article 105009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2024.105009 [details]
- Kuitert, L., Willems, J., & Volker, L. (2024). Value integration in multi-functional urban projects: a value driven perspective on sustainability transitions. Construction Management and Economics, 42(2), 182-198. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2023.2264969 [details]
2023
- Brorström, S., & Willems, J. (2023). Getting integrative urban regeneration strategies done: Insights from Antwerp and Gothenburg. International Review of Administrative Sciences, 89(2), 346-362. https://doi.org/10.1177/00208523211029122 [details]
- Willems, J. J., Duijn, M., IJff, S., Veraart, J., Nuesink, N., Ellen, G. J., & van Buuren, A. (2023). The lifecycle of public value creation: eroding public values in the Dutch Marker Wadden project. Public Money & Management, 43(2), 116-125. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540962.2021.1896557 [details]
- Willems, J. J., Kuitert, L., & Van Buuren, A. (2023). Policy integration in urban living labs: Delivering multi-functional blue-green infrastructure in Antwerp, Dordrecht, and Gothenburg. Environmental Policy and Governance, 33(3), 258-271. https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.2028 [details]
- Willems, J. J., van Popering-Verkerk, J., & van Eck, L. (2023). How boundary objects facilitate local climate adaptation networks: the cases of Amsterdam Rainproof and Water Sensitive Rotterdam. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 66(7), 1513-1532. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2022.2030686 [details]
- Willems, J., Minkman, E., Veerbeek, W., Ashley, R., & van Buuren, A. (2023). Policy transfer in urban water management: evidence from ten BEGIN cities. In T. Bolognesi, F. Silva Pinto, & M. Farrelly (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Urban Water Governance (pp. 257-271). (Routledge Environment and Sustainability Handbooks). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003057574-22 [details]
2022
- Willems, J. J., & Giezen, M. (2022). Understanding the institutional work of boundary objects in climate-proofing cities: The case of Amsterdam Rainproof. Urban Climate, 44, Article 101222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2022.101222 [details]
2021
- IJff, S. D., Veraart, J. A., Willems, J. J., Duijn, M., van den Berg, K., & Stouten, G. M. (2021). Innovatieve governance voor Building with Nature: Lessen uit het Marker Wadden-project. Landschap, 39(1), 25-33. [details]
- Willems, J. J., Kenyon, A., Sharp, L., & Molenveld, A. (2021). How actors are (dis)integrating policy agendas for multi-functional blue and green infrastructure projects on the ground. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 23(1), 84-96. https://doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2020.1798750 [details]
2020
- Willems, J. J., Molenveld, A., Voorberg, W., & Brinkman, G. (2020). Diverging ambitions and instruments for citizen participation across different stages in green infrastructure projects. Urban Planning, 5(1), 22-32. https://doi.org/10.17645/up.v5i1.2613 [details]
2019
- Willems, J. J., & Busscher, T. (2019). Institutional Barriers and Bridges for Climate Proofing Waterway Infrastructures. Public Works Management and Policy, 24(1), 63-70. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087724X18798383 [details]
2018
- Willems, J. J. (2018). Beyond maintenance: Emerging discourses on waterway renewal in the Netherlands. Transport Policy, 72, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2018.09.011
- Willems, J. J., Busscher, T., Woltjer, J., & Arts, J. (2018). Co-creating value through renewing waterway networks: A transaction-cost perspective. Journal of Transport Geography, 69, 26-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2018.04.011
- Willems, J. J., Busscher, T., Woltjer, J., & Arts, J. (2018). Planning for Waterway Renewal: Balancing Institutional Reproduction and Institutional Change. Planning Theory and Practice, 19(5), 678-697. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649357.2018.1542504
- Willems, J. J., Busscher, T., van den Brink, M., & Arts, J. (2018). Anticipating water infrastructure renewal: A framing perspective on organizational learning in public agencies. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space, 36(6), 1088-1108. https://doi.org/10.1177/2399654417733993
2017
- Gilliard, L., Wenner, F., Lamker, C. W., Van den Berghe, K., & Willems, J. J. (2017). Potentials of Entrepreneurial Thinking for Planning: Debates during the 11th AESOP Young Academics Conference. DISP, 53(3), 94-100. https://doi.org/10.1080/02513625.2017.1380439
2016
- Willems, J., Busscher, T., Hijdra, A., & Arts, J. (2016). Renewing Infrastructure Networks: New Challenge, New Approach? Transportation Research Procedia, 14, 2497-2506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2016.05.322
2022
- Willems, J., Klanker, G., de Boer, H., Saïd, M., & de Graaff, T. (2022). Meerwaarde uit vervangings- en renovatieprojecten. O.T.A.R., 103(4), 42-45. [details]
2021
- Willems, J. J. (2021). De ruimtelijke ordening in smakelijke anekdotes: Boekrecensie Een land waarover is nagedacht door Han Lörzing. Rooilijn, 54. https://www.rooilijn.nl/publicaties/een-land-waarover-is-nagedacht-hoe-de-planners-nederland-vormgaven/
- Willems, J. J. (2021). Ruimtelijke ordening als kind van zijn tijd: Boekrecensie Ruimtelijke ordening: geschiedenis van de stedelijke en regionale planning in Nederland, 1200-nu door Len de Klerk & Ries van der Wouden. Rooilijn, 54. https://www.rooilijn.nl/publicaties/ruimtelijke-ordening-geschiedenis-van-de-stedelijke-en-regionale-planning-in-nederland-1200-nu/
2020
- IJff, S., Willems, J., & van den Berg, N. (2020). Een uniek project, een unieke samenwerking. De governance van Marker Wadden ontleed: Rapportage MEP Adaptieve Governance Marker Wadden. Deltares. https://waterinfo-extra.rws.nl/projecten/lijst-projecten/kennis-marker-wadden/kennis-innovatieprogramma-marker-wadden/documenten/
- Van Popering-Verkerk, J., Willems, J., van Eck, L., Goedbloed, D., & Jacobs, J. (2020). Grensobjecten voor succesvolle stedelijke klimaatadaptatie: Leren van de grensobjecten Water Sensitive Rotterdam en Amsterdam Rainproof. Water Governance, 2020(3), 30-36. [details]
- Willems, J. J., Ashley, R., Veerbeek, W., van Herk, S., & Kelder, E. (2020). Social innovations for delivering Blue and Green Infrastructure: connecting multiple benefits, multiple stakeholders, and multiple disciplines: Policy brief from the Interreg North Sea project BEGIN. https://northsearegion.eu/media/14055/begin-policy-brief.pdf
2018
- Willems, J. (Author). (2018). Vervanging als kans voor gebiedsontwikkeling. Web publication or website, Gebiedsontwikkeling.nu. https://www.gebiedsontwikkeling.nu/artikelen/vervanging-als-kans-voor-gebiedsontwikkeling/
2017
- Willems, J. J. (Author). (2017). Stuw Grave als opstap naar vaarweg van de toekomst. Web publication or website, NL Magazine over stedelijke en regionale ontwikkeling. https://nlmag.nl/2017/02/01/stuw-grave-als-opstap-naar-vaarweg-van-de-toekomst/
2016
- Willems, J. J. (Author). (2016). Ons (vaar)wegennet staat op een kruispunt. Web publication or website, Verkeerskunde. https://www.verkeerskunde.nl/artikel/ons-vaarwegennet-staat-op-een-kruispunt
2023
- Willems, J. J., Ulug, C. R., & Lin, Y. T. (2023). Opinie: ‘Stap af van economisch denken en kies écht voor lokaal voedsel’. Het Parool. https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/e16cd950-a4e9-420b-8abb-34858522f21a/?context=1519360&identityprofileid=4WBGCC56941
Media appearance
- Willems, J. (09-04-2026). ‘The danger and value of water are in my blood’: how rain fences are making Dutch homes more climate resilient [Web] The Guardian. ‘The danger and value of water are in my blood’: how rain fences are making Dutch homes more climate resilient. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/09/rain-fences-dutch-homes-climate-resilient
- Willems, J. (01-04-2025). De UvA zit vol groene ideeën, maar er komt weinig groens van de grond [Web] Folia. De UvA zit vol groene ideeën, maar er komt weinig groens van de grond. https://www.folia.nl/nl/actueel/165497/de-uva-zit-vol-groene-ideeen-maar-er-komt-weinig-groens-van-de-grond
- Willems, J. (04-10-2023). Opzoomertonnen maken Rotterdam klaar voor een veranderend klimaat [Web] De Havenloods. Opzoomertonnen maken Rotterdam klaar voor een veranderend klimaat. https://www.dehavenloods.nl/nieuws/algemeen/49517/opzoomertonnen-maken-rotterdam-klaar-voor-een-veranderend-klimaat
- Willems, J. (14-10-2020). ‘Onafhankelijk platform van grote waarde voor klimaatadaptatie in stad’ [Web]. ‘Onafhankelijk platform van grote waarde voor klimaatadaptatie in stad’. https://www.h2owaternetwerk.nl/h2o-actueel/onafhankelijk-platform-van-grote-waarde-voor-klimaatadaptatie-in-stad
- Willems, J. & Busscher, T. (22-02-2018). Verbind nieuwe aanleg en onderhoud [Print] Trouw. Verbind nieuwe aanleg en onderhoud. https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/verbind-nieuwaanleg-en-onderhoud-van-infrastructuur~b0a01b89/
2018
- Willems, J. J. (2018). Navigating waterway renewal: Actor-centred institutional perspectives on the planning of ageing waterways in the Netherlands. University of Groningen.
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Ancillary activities
No ancillary activities
Mitincu, C.-G., Hossu, C.-A., Iojă, I.-C., Niţă, M.-R., Calotă, A.-M., Niţă, A., Willems, J. J., & Li, J. (2026). Towards inclusive nature-based solutions: insights from a systematic review of European urban contexts. Sustainability Science, 21(4), 1847–1864.