Mikael Granberg

Local Governance and Climate Change: Reflections on the Swedish Experience

Abstract The focus of this article is the Swedish experience of local governance and climate change, including mitigation and adaptation. The municipal response to these two challenges is set within a broader policy context that acknowledges Sweden as a pioneer in environmental governance, including its comparatively high ambitions with regard to the reduction of greenhouse ga emissions. Central–local relations in climate policy are analysed, and climate change mitigation and adaptation are exemplified by some snapshots of municipal initiatives, including the popular habit of networking between municipalities within as well as across national borders. In conclusion we briefly evaluate the Swedish local governance experience of climate change mitigation and adaptation to date as characterized by radical rhetoric and ambitious goals combined with a lot of promising initiatives, although still with fairly modest results in terms of tangible outcomes. Finally, we reflect upon what we consider to be the most important questions for future research on local governance and climate change.

Local Governance ‘in Swedish’? Globalisation, Local Welfare Government and Beyond

Abstract In this article local governance in the Swedish context is discussed. A case study of a Swedish city is framed in its historical, national and international context. By locating the redevelopment of an old harbour within a historical context, new insights are brought into the understanding of local governance. Cities are indeed nested. Deteriorating public finances, the deregulation of the economy (nationally and globally), the changed status of the welfare state, the restructuring of industry and the neo-liberal wave all taken together form a formidable challenge. A radical questioning of the values, principles and forms of the Swedish welfare state has tangible impacts on local governance. It is concluded that Swedish municipal actors face the dual challenge of acting efficiently (being sensitive to the needs and demands of local elites), while keeping democratic legitimacy (being sensitive to the needs and demands of all citizens).

Urban planners, wired for change? : Understanding elite support for e-participation

Abstract What do elites really mean when they display positive attitudes toward increased citizen participation via ICTs? Are they aiming for institutional change or the reinforcement of existing institutions? What are the assumptions that underlie and condition support for e-participa-tion? In addressing these questions, this article draws upon a survey questionnaire mapping the support for e-participation in the field of urban planning, targeting the heads of the planning departments in all Swedish local governments in 2006. The results show confusing or conflicting elite attitudes towards participation, supporting as well as challenging the classic normative theories of participatory democracy and communicative planning.

Adaptation and Maladaptation in Australian National Climate Change Policy

This paper examines Australias national policies for adapting to climate change impacts. Recent developments in research funding, institutional capacities and extreme events have resulted in a greater interest and level of activity in adaptation policy. Based on a historical review of national policy, adaptation policy is considered within a political frame and political values, especially the values of neoliberalism, within adaptation policy are identified. Of interest are the implications of these values for the outcomes of adaptation policy, with attention given to the problem of maladaptation.

Planners support of e-participation in the field of urban planning

Developments in technology have led to the progression of traditional urban planning. The technological advancements have created a new form of urban planning referred to as e-planning, which incorporates the traditional elements of urban planning with information and communication technologies (ICTs), especially the internet, geographic information systems (GIS) and virtual reality technologies. The purpose of this handbook is to explore the nature and to examine the impacts of the transformations in the urban planning field that result from the use of ICTs in all phases of the urban planning process and to raise new questions for further research. The handbook is divided into three interrelated sections. The first section deals with theories and methods in e-Planning. The second is devoted to citizen participation in e-Planning. The final section provides an overview of innovations in specific sectors within the urban planning field.

Dealing with uncertainty: a case study of controlling insect populations in natural ecosystems

This paper analyses the political process for handling an outbreak of an insect causing human allergic reactions. In the southern part of the Swedish island Gotland in the Baltic Sea, an outbreak of the northern pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pinivora, has occurred. With regard to the human nuisance and long-term effects on the tourist industry, demands have been raised for intervention to reduce and control the insect population. At the same time, there have been warnings against treating the insect population because there are knowledge gaps concerning the wider ecological consequences, including effects on biodiversity. This paper analyses the political process and its problem-solving efforts. Of particular interest is how it dealt with the issue of uncertainty. It was found that the uncertainty associated with the issue hindered the development of a shared understanding of the problem and a possible solution. There seems to be a growing need in society to develop the institutional capacity to handle complex issues that cross different sectors, regulatory frameworks and policy targets.

Almost like government ...

To the Swedish observer, Australian ‘State’ government is essentially local government—or at least its most powerful tier. States are self-evidently not little nations but the regional tier of loca...

An Integrative Research Framework to Unravel the Interplay of Natural Hazards and Vulnerabilities

Climate change, globalization, urbanization, social isolation, and increased interconnectednessbetween physical, human, and technological systems pose major challenges to disaster risk reduction(DR ...