Cecilie Flyen Øyen

Public Sector Reform and Governance for Adaptation: Implications of New Public Management for Adaptive Capacity in Mexico and Norway

Although many governments are assuming the responsibility of initiating adaptation policy in relation to climate change, the compatibility of “governance-for-adaptation” with the current paradigms of public administration has generally been overlooked. Over the last several decades, countries around the globe have embraced variants of the philosophy of administration broadly called “New Public Management” (NPM) in an effort to improve administrative efficiencies and the provision of public services. Using evidence from a case study of reforms in the building sector in Norway, and a case study of water and flood risk management in central Mexico, we analyze the implications of the adoption of the tenets of NPM for adaptive capacity. Our cases illustrate that some of the key attributes associated with governance for adaptation—namely, technical and financial capacities; institutional memory, learning and knowledge; and participation and accountability—have been eroded by NPM reforms. Despite improvements in specific operational tasks of the public sector in each case, we show that the success of NPM reforms presumes the existence of core elements of governance that have often been found lacking, including solid institutional frameworks and accountability. Our analysis illustrates the importance of considering both longer-term adaptive capacities and short-term efficiency goals in public sector administration reform.

An approach to impact assessments of buildings in a changing climate

Future climate change caused by global warming could have dramatic consequences for the built environment. An approach is presented to understand and assess these impacts on the Norwegian building stock in a changing climate. The approach is tested using calculations for the decay potential in timber structures (possessing wood cladding, timber frames or both). First, building data and climate data are compiled in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Second, the computer model calculates the number of buildings that could be affected by a particular climate parameter for historical climate data (1961–1990) and a future climate scenario (2071–2100). The results show that today approximately 615 000 buildings are situated in areas with a high potential risk of rot-decay. In 2100 this number could increase to roughly 2.4 million. The large current amount of wooden buildings and a high number of building defects indicates that future new and refurbished buildings need to be built more robustly to meet the future impacts of climate change. Other climate parameters, e.g. sea level rise, changes in permafrost, the risk of frost decay, temperature change and changes in the amount of wet winter precipitation – are under investigation for their effect on the Norwegian building stock. Les changements climatiques futurs causés par le réchauffement planétaire pourraient avoir des conséquences dramatiques sur l’environnement bâti. Il est présenté une approche visant à comprendre et évaluer ces impacts sur le parc bâti norvégien sous un climat en évolution. Cette approche est testée en utilisant des calculs relatifs aux possibilités de pourrissement des structures en bois de construction (possédant des bardages en bois, des ossatures bois, voire les deux). Dans un premier temps, les données relatives aux bâtiments et les données relatives aux climats sont compilées dans un Système d’Information Géographique (SIG). Dans un second temps, le modèle informatique calcule le nombre de bâtiments qui pourraient être affectés par un paramètre climatique particulier dans le cadre des données climatiques historiques (1961–1990) et d’un scénario climatique futur (2071–2100). Les résultats montrent qu’aujourd’hui environ 615 000 bâtiments se situent dans des régions présentant un risque potentiel élevé de pourrissement. En 2100, ce nombre pourrait s’accroître jusqu’à atteindre environ 2,4 millions. La grande quantité actuelle de bâtiments en bois et un nombre élevé de défauts de construction indiquent qu’il faudrait que les futurs bâtiments neufs et rénovés soient construits de manière plus solide afin de répondre aux impacts futurs du changement climatique. D’autres paramètres climatiques – tels que par exemple l’élévation du niveau de la mer, les modifications du permafrost, le risque de pourrissement par le gel, les changements de température et les changements dans la quantité de précipitations des hivers humides – sont étudiés sous l’angle de leur effet sur le parc bâti norvégien. Mots clés: mesures d’adaptation, parc bâti, changement climatique, études d’impact, bâtiments solides, risque de pourrissement, bâtiments en bois, Norvège

The Meaning of Rehabilitation of Multi-Storey Housing for the Residents

Abstract The rehabilitation of blocks of flats can be planned and executed in very different ways. This article describes two case studies of rehabilitation processes, focusing on what can be learned from the organizational processes and the meaning of the rehabilitation for the residents. Residents, initiators, architects and contractors have all been interviewed. One of the case studies involved two blocks of flats with municipal apartments for substance abusers ,where the residents participated in the planning of the housing rehabilitation. The other case study reviewed a housing cooperative where the residents, through an elected board and chairman, took on an initiative to undertake a complete rehabilitation. In both case studies most residents were very pleased with the results, and had a feeling of ownership towards the project and their houses. The rehabilitation process and architectural changes positively affected their social status and personal pride. The common criteria for success seems not necessarily to be the degree of involvement in the decision-making process, but rather the leaders’ respect for their needs, the level of information provided and the follow-up. The leaders of both projects were enthusiastic, and were in close contact with the residents while guiding the rehabilitation process.

Weakening adaptive capacity? Effects of organizational and institutional change on the housing sector in Norway

In this paper, we investigate adaptive capacity in a developed country context through a case study of how the housing sector undertakes local adaptation action in Norway. A particular concern is climate adapted solutions in the design and construction of prefabricated houses in response to the large geographic variations in climate. Two main research questions are raised. First, how does organizational structure of prefabricated housing manufacturers affect decision making processes, information flows and local adaptation actions? Second, how does institutional change in terms of regulatory reform of the sector affect adaptive capacity in terms of organizational structure of manufacturers and the co-generation of adaptation knowledge between public and private sector institutions? Findings suggest that the type of development demonstrated by the housing sector, strongly influenced by New Public Management type reforms, may weaken adaptive capacity unless particular measures are taken to strengthen the role of local knowledge and responsibilities for adaptation actions. Addressing the implications of governance and other societal changes for adaptive capacity must form part of any effort to promote adaptation in a developed world context.