The new normative: synergistic scenario planning for carbon-neutral cities and regions

ABSTRACT

Carbon-neutral targets are a ‘new normative’ for cities and regions around the world. Such targets call for rapid system transformations, beyond the normal remit of urban-regional planning. In response, we propose a framework of theory and practice, in three parts: ‘trading zone’ concepts for collaborative planning; ‘scenario back-casting’ for longer horizons; and ‘synergistic thinking’ for systems transformation. We demonstrate this with the carbon-neutral journey of Greater Manchester. The results suggest the ‘new normative’ for cities and regions can be greatly facilitated by ‘synergistic scenario planning’, in theory and practice.

KEYWORDS:

• scenario back-casting
• trading zone
• boundary object
• carbon neutral
• collective intelligence
• Greater Manchester

JEL:

• Q01
• Q54
• R5
• Z18

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors acknowledge many years of advice and dialogue with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and its Low Carbon Hub.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.