Insights from Testing a Modified Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways Approach for Spatial Planning at the Municipal Level

Christoffer Carstens, Karin Mossberg Sonnek, Riitta Räty, Per Wikman-Svahn, Annika Carlsson-Kanyama and Jonathan Metzger
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Christoffer Carstens: County Administrative Board of Gävleborg, 802 66 Gävle, Sweden, Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
Karin Mossberg Sonnek: Defence Analysis, Swedish Defence Research Agency, 164 90 Stockholm, Sweden
Riitta Räty: Defence Analysis, Swedish Defence Research Agency, 164 90 Stockholm, Sweden
Per Wikman-Svahn: Department of Philosophy and History, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
Annika Carlsson-Kanyama: Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
Jonathan Metzger: Division of Urban and Regional Studies, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: The Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways (DAPP) approach has successfully been used to manage uncertainties in large infrastructure projects. However, the viability of the DAPP approach for spatial planning in smaller municipal settings is not clear. This paper examines opportunities and constraints of using adaptive pathways approaches to help small municipalities plan for future sea-level rise. The methodology was based on developing a simplified DAPP-approach, which was tested in a multiple experimental case study of spatial planning projects in three municipalities in Sweden. The results show that the approach promoted vulnerability-based thinking among the end-users and generated new ideas on how to manage the uncertain long-term impacts of future sea-level rise. However, the increased understanding of uncertainties was used to justify static, rather than adaptive, solutions. This somewhat surprising outcome can be explained by perceived legal constraints, lack of experience of adaptive pathways, and unwillingness to prescribe actions that could prove difficult to enforce in the future. More research is needed to further understand at what planning phases dynamic policy pathway approaches work best and how current barriers in legislation, practices, mind-set, organization, and resources can be overcome.

Keywords: pathways; adaptation; uncertainty; sea-level rise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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