Political commitment in organising municipal responses to climate adaptation: the dedicated approach versus the mainstreaming approach

Abstract

We develop conceptual understanding of political commitment in two approaches to organising municipal responses to climate adaptation. The dedicated approach, based on direct political commitment to climate adaptation, implies political agenda setting, resource allocation, and clear policy objectives which are expected to facilitate rapid implementation due to political pressure and new structures. The mainstreaming approach is based on indirect political commitment: climate adaptation ‘piggybacks’ on the established commitment of policy domains in which it is integrated, and institutional entrepreneurs and framing are considered necessary to establish policy synergies and to mobilise actors and resources. An implication is that implementation may be erratic, as entrepreneurs have to pioneer within existing structures. The cases of two Dutch cities – Amsterdam and Rotterdam – help to illustrate and refine our propositions on the nature and implications of political commitment.

Keywords:

• political commitment
• mainstreaming
• climate adaptation
• municipal government

Notes

^1. The problem stream consists of societal problems advocated by political actors and stakeholders. Whereas a society is continuously affected by events or crises, not all of these are in need of government attention. The policy stream includes the input of the ongoing generation and (re)consideration of policy alternatives by policymakers, researchers, and interest groups. The politics stream is related to political forces such as alterations in the national political situation, organised political powers, change of administration, and allocation of power, time, and resources to the organisation (Kingdon 2002).

^2. Examples of GSI practices are retention and detention ponds, permeable pavement, water crates, tree trenches, and green roofs (US EPA 2014).

^3. Rotterdam Climate Initiative is a collaboration between four public and private actors.

^4. All interviews have been given an abbreviation. See appendix B for more information on the interviewee.

^5. RCI has a budget of €30 million of which €20 million is to be invested in physical pilot projects (Municipality of Rotterdam, 2010b).

^6. Waterplan 2 is a strategic document that provides insights into the future challenge for the urban water system such as climate change and further urban development.

^7. The floating pavilion is an expo centre floating on water, which serves as an example of adaptive building. In this way, Rotterdam can show new developments in the area of planning, and water and climate management (Municipality of Rotterdam 2010c).

^8. The water plaza is an innovative solution for water storage in public space. During a downpour, a water plaza collects and stores the storm water, preventing flooding of neighbouring streets. In dry periods, the plaza can be used as a social meeting place or a playground (Municipality of Rotterdam, 2010c).

^9. A research program on water management and safety organised by the Dutch national government.

^10. Watergraafsmeer is a neighbourhood in Amsterdam. This program was set up together with City District Amsterdam East.