Lila Singh-Peterson

Interrogating resilience: toward a typology to improve its operationalization

In the context of accelerated global change, the concept of resilience, with its roots in ecological theory and complex adaptive systems, has emerged as the favored framework for understanding and responding to the dynamics of change. Its transfer from ecological to social contexts, however, has led to the concept being interpreted in multiple ways across numerous disciplines causing significant challenges for its practical application. The aim of this paper is to improve conceptual clarity within resilience thinking so that resilience can be interpreted and articulated in ways that enhance its utility and explanatory power, not only theoretically but also operationally. We argue that the current confusion and ambiguity within resilience thinking is problematic for operationalizing the concept within policy making. To achieve our aim, we interrogate resilience interpretations used within a number of academic and practice domains in the forefront of contending with the disruptive and sometimes catastrophic effects of global change (primarily due to climate change) on ecological and human-nature systems. We demonstrate evolution and convergence among disciplines in the interpretations and theoretical underpinnings of resilience and in engagement with cross-scale considerations. From our analysis, we identify core conceptual elements to be considered in policy responses if resilience is to fulfill its potential in improving decision making for change. We offer an original classification of resilience definitions in current use and a typology of resilience interpretations. We conclude that resilience thinking must be open to alternative traditions and interpretations if it is to become a theoretically and operationally powerful paradigm.

Deconstructing the concept of shared responsibility for disaster resilience: a Sunshine Coast case study, Australia

Abstract Due in part to the increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Australia, emergency management has recently transitioned from a command-and-control civil defence structure to one promoting ‘shared responsibility’ between government, businesses, non-government, communities and individuals. The objective is to enable communities to become disaster resilient as opposed to fortified against risk. In this paper, using a case study approach, we examine whether this national resilience approach has been effectively institutionalised at the local scale. To do this, we draw upon the knowledge of those working within the traditional emergency management and community service sectors to identify which factors influence the resilience of a community in the case study location and determine which stakeholder classes are considered responsible for developing and enhancing each factor. The results indicate that all three tiers of government are still seen to be largely responsible for the case study’s disaster resilience; however, local community groups comprised of volunteers are also perceived to be largely responsible for disaster resilience despite obvious capacity and resourcing limitations.

Insights into community vulnerability and resilience following natural disasters: perspectives with food retailers in Northern NSW, Australia

The resilience of Australias food-supply chain following natural disasters has been brought into question, following the significant flooding and cyclone events of 2010/2011. How this manifests at the community level, in both rural and urban locations, has been examined through the lens of large and small food retailers in northern NSW. These interviews reveal the fragility of both the long and short supply chain where transport systems are compromised. Self-imposed standards severely restricted the ability of supermarkets to acquire fresh food, in the face of transport disruptions. Similarly, the precarious position of rural food retailers, exposed to continual fuel and electricity price increases, is compounded by the impact of extreme weather events. The insights captured through this study suggest interception points, or policy entry points, to address the resilience of the food-supply chain.

Learning from cross-border arrangements to support climate change adaptation in Australia

This paper focuses on learning from existing cross-border governance arrangements with a view to strengthening and improving climate change adaptation within the Australian context. Using an institutional learning framework, the research offers a critical analysis of two Australian cross-border cases: (1) the Murray-Darling Basin, and (2) the Australian Alps. The research findings focus on the issues of geographic (place), administrative (space) and political (territory) fragmentation as key concepts that underpin integrated environmental planning and management in practice. There are significant implications for climate change adaptation in evolving cross-border regions at scale that this paper highlights.

An evaluation of the Community Disaster Resilience Scorecard Toolkit by small, high-risk communities on the Sunshine Coast

There is demand for an assessment tool that can assist a community to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies and disasters. A participatory approach, in which communities undertake their own assessment, has been promoted as an ideal method of identifying strengths and vulnerabilities within the local community and has been associated with substantial co-benefits that directly enhance resilience. In this study, five small rural communities exposed to frequent flooding events evaluate the usefulness and efficacy of the Community Disaster Resilience Scorecard Toolkit Scorecard. Our participants reveal that the Scorecard covers relevant topics and has directly supported disaster resilience planning. Despite significant difficulties in attracting people to participate in the assessment, all of the participants considered that the process of assessment was immensely valuable. Overall the communities identified that the Scorecard does require adaption to provide a more accurate depiction of their community’s resilience and have suggested ways to achieve this. However underpinning the assessment and the evaluation tasks were deep concerns about the ‘shared responsibility’ position of government and the reliance upon fatigued volunteers to provide local knowledge and skills.

Food security, remoteness and consolidation of supermarket distribution centres: Factors contributing to food pricing inequalities across Queensland, Australia

ABSTRACT There is a clear association between food prices, affordability and issues of food security. Australian food supply chains have lengthened in recent years in response to consolidation policies of the dominant supermarkets, which have reduced the number of distribution centres in order to maximise economic efficiencies. This study presents a spatial analysis of a healthy food basket survey undertaken across Queensland, Australia in order to identify the primary determinants of food pricing. Ambiguity in the academic literature on this subject is largely due to limitations of the utilised methods. Our results indicate that food price variability is directly related to the type of store surveyed, and the distance of the surveyed store to the supermarket distribution centres in Brisbane, or urban centres on the east coast of Australia. Population size of towns and the level of social disadvantage observed in communities were indirect determinants of food prices. Therefore, in order to lessen the disadvantage already encountered by communities located in outer regional and remote areas who pay increasingly more for food than their urban counterparts, policy interventions need to move beyond subsiding food costs and consider the relationship between fuel prices and the lengthening of dominant food supply chains, in addition to the capacity of local supply chains.

Planning for climate change across borders: insights from the Gold Coast (QLD) – Tweed (NSW) region

Climate change impacts challenge artificially imposed administrative boundaries and expose the need for improved collaboration across borders. However, jurisdictional boundaries represent one of the major obstacles to an integrated response to climate change impacts. Overcoming this barrier is particularly challenging in cases requiring collaboration between institutions operating under different jurisdictions. This paper focuses on the challenges to cross-border institutional arrangements and the subsequent implications for climate change adaptation in the planning sector. Drawing on empirical insights, the paper identifies the key challenges for cross-border arrangements at both local and state levels. It then uses the example provided by the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project operative in the Gold Coast (Queensland) and Tweed (New South Wales) border region to discuss the complexity of planning for climate change adaptation across borders.

The changing face of the Mary Valley: considering the fairness, sustainability and resilience of the agricultural system in a peri-urban setting

ABSTRACT Agricultural systems around the world are being severely impacted by changing climate, extreme weather events, urbanisation and neo-liberal (free market) policies. Yet, there are currently few studies on the experiences of those affected by these compounding pressures captured at the local scale. Experiences of adaptive responses – along with recommendations for transformations of the agricultural systems provided by those working in local-level settings – have also not been captured. Yet, such responses provide valuable insights into what can be done, and what needs to be done, to bring about a more equitable and sustainable food system. In this paper, we draw upon the opinions and experiences of those involved in food production and distribution in the historically abundant, peri-urban, region of the Mary Valley, Queensland, Australia. Underpinning the practical and strategic recommendations made by participants is a need for supermarket and government policies to appropriately reflect the immense value of small-scale farmers in sustaining rural communities and enhancing the resilience and sustainability of Australia’s food security. Importantly, our participants in this case study location reiterate that the impacts of climate change are manageable if the farming business is able to generate enough profit to absorb the costs of preparation and recovery from disasters.

A multi-scalar, mixed methods framework for assessing rural communities’ capacity for resilience, adaptation, and transformation

Abstract Resilience as a concept is often applied to address disaster risks and impacts. Metrics developed to measure the resilience of a community are often not applicable to other communities. In order for metrics to have utility and provide meaningful information to decision-makers, they need to be embedded within local contexts, be integrated across spatial scales, and address the community’s capacity for adaptation and transformation, in addition to coping. To this end, we present an innovative framework to assess subtle variations in levels of community resilience at the household, community, and regional scale. Using a case study approach, we demonstrate how local actors can apply the framework to derive an applicable suite of locally relevant indicators. The main limitation in applying this, and other participatory methods, relates to difficulties in obtaining a representative level of participatory engagement, restricting the credibility of results and success of subsequent strategies.