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Can Regional-Scale Governance and Planning Support Transformative Adaptation? A Study of Two Places

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  • Mikael Granberg

    (Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies and The Centre for Climate and Safety (CCS), Karlstad University, 651 88 Karlstad, Sweden
    The Centre for Natural Hazards and Disaster Science (CNDS), Uppsala University, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Karyn Bosomworth

    (Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Susie Moloney

    (Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia)

  • Ann-Catrin Kristianssen

    (School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden)

  • Hartmut Fünfgeld

    (School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
    Institute of Environmental Social Sciences and Geography, University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg, Germany)

Abstract

The idea that climate change adaptation is best leveraged at the local scale is a well-institutionalized script in both research and formal governance. This idea is based on the argument that the local scale is where climate change impacts are “felt” and experienced. However, sustainable and just climate futures require transformations in systems, norms, and cultures that underpin and reinforce our unsustainable practices and development pathways, not just “local” action. Governance interventions are needed to catalyse such shifts, connecting multilevel and multiscale boundaries of knowledge, values, levels and organizational remits. We critically reflect on current adaptation governance processes in Victoria, Australia and the Gothenburg region, Sweden to explore whether regional-scale governance can provide just as important leverage for adaptation as local governance, by identifying and addressing intersecting gaps and challenges in adaptation at local levels. We suggest that regional-scale adaptation offers possibilities for transformative change because they can identify, connect, and amplify small-scale (local) wins and utilize this collective body of knowledge to challenge and advocate for unblocking stagnated, institutionalized policies and practices, and support transformative change.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikael Granberg & Karyn Bosomworth & Susie Moloney & Ann-Catrin Kristianssen & Hartmut Fünfgeld, 2019. "Can Regional-Scale Governance and Planning Support Transformative Adaptation? A Study of Two Places," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:24:p:6978-:d:295083
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Charles Herrick & Jason Vogel, 2022. "Climate Adaptation at the Local Scale: Using Federal Climate Adaptation Policy Regimes to Enhance Climate Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, July.
    2. Patricio Valdivieso & Pablo Neudorfer & Krister P. Andersson, 2021. "Causes and Consequences of Local Government Efforts to Reduce Risk and Adapt to Extreme Weather Events: Municipal Organizational Robustness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-43, July.
    3. Mikael Granberg & Leigh Glover, 2021. "The Climate Just City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, January.
    4. Walter Leal Filho & Franziska Wolf & Stefano Moncada & Amanda Lange Salvia & Abdul-Lateef Babatunde Balogun & Constantina Skanavis & Aristea Kounani & Patrick D. Nunn, 2022. "Transformative adaptation as a sustainable response to climate change: insights from large-scale case studies," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 1-26, March.

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