Evidencing Changed Practices in Co‐Creation of Just and Inclusive Coastal Transitions

Konstantin Schjerlund Houbak, Rikke Becker Jacobsen, Kristen Ounanian, Janni Sørensen, Josefin Ekstedt, Diana Dushkova, Anna S Antonova, Madeleine Gustavsson, Salina Spiering, Sílvia Gómez, Kristina Svels, Maria Hadjimichael, Gloriya Marinova, Olga Ivlieva, Maiken Bjørkan, Wesley Flannery, Alex Miller, Beulah Evelyn Lazarus, Beatriz Patraca, Viktor Eriksson, Sunniva Solnør and Candice Pouget
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Konstantin Schjerlund Houbak: Department of Sustainability and Planning, Aalborg University, Denmark
Rikke Becker Jacobsen: Department of Sustainability and Planning, Aalborg University, Denmark
Kristen Ounanian: Department of Sustainability and Planning, Aalborg University, Denmark
Janni Sørensen: Department of Sustainability and Planning, Aalborg University, Denmark
Josefin Ekstedt: Department of Sustainability and Planning, Aalborg University, Denmark
Diana Dushkova: Department of Conservation Biology and Social‐Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Germany
Anna S Antonova: School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Madeleine Gustavsson: Institute for Rural and Regional Research – Ruralis, Norway
Salina Spiering: Nordland Research Institute, Norway
Sílvia Gómez: Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
Kristina Svels: Natural Resources Institute Finland, Finland
Maria Hadjimichael: Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, Cyprus
Gloriya Marinova: Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation, Bulgaria
Olga Ivlieva: Department of Conservation Biology and Social‐Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Germany
Maiken Bjørkan: Nordland Research Institute, Norway
Wesley Flannery: School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast, UK
Alex Miller: School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast, UK
Beulah Evelyn Lazarus: Department of Environmental Science, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland
Beatriz Patraca: Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
Viktor Eriksson: Fishery Agency, Government of Åland, Finland
Sunniva Solnør: Institute for Rural and Regional Research – Ruralis, Norway
Candice Pouget: Department of Conservation Biology and Social‐Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Germany

Ocean and Society, 2026, vol. 3

Abstract: This article examines community-led interventions in six transition coastal labs through the lens of transition mechanisms. Coastal regions face entrenched governance structures that limit just and inclusive transformations, particularly where climate pressures, blue economy expansion, and fragmented governance intersect. Using a three-layered framework of recrafting, substituting, and disrupting practices, we analyzed data from a co-creation workshop, where transition coastal lab representatives and academic partners were asked to test and shape the framework, based on identified examples of changed practices across multiple domains of change: participatory methods, community–governance interactions, and community connectivity. The findings show that even modest shifts—such as expanded participation or new leadership—can hold transformative potential. We argue that the framework is a useful tool for systematically identifying the transformative potential embedded in bottom-up coastal empowerment initiatives. The findings highlight the value of locally anchored, co-created processes in cultivating just, inclusive, and sustainable coastal transitions.

Keywords: blue economy; coastal governance; co-creation; community empowerment; green transition; nature-based solutions; participatory methods; sustainability transition; transition mechanisms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:ocesoc:v3:y:2026:a:12464

DOI: 10.17645/oas.12464

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