Assessing contrasting approaches to planning for climate change induced resettlement

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2009.Includes bibliographical references (p. 87-95).Climate change induced resettlement (CCIR) is emerging as an issue that planners will need to address. It is expected that how planners in different political and economic contexts around the world respond will be shaped in large part by how they have traditionally planned. If so, it is important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of these different planning frameworks when applied to CCIR. This is a particularly important question in this context because of the unique nature of climate change, particularly the fact that it is typically less clear when resettlement is the right response. This thesis examines climate change induced resettlement in two very different contexts, which could be considered archetypes of two very different planning frameworks - the resettlement of Tibetan nomads in Qinghai, China, and the response in the United States, and New Orleans in particular, to Hurricane Katrina. The Chinese approach can be typified as authoritarian in nature, favoring scientific management by a cadre of professional, centralized planners. The American approach can be considered market-oriented and laissez faire, minimizing government intervention. The conclusion reached is that both planning frameworks have strengths and weakness, and should be learned from. The Chinese approach is better able to tackle the resettlement question proactively, using information to make decisive decisions. In contrast, uncertainty around the impacts of climate change, the inadequate dissemination and consideration of information, and resistance to government intervention make proactive decision making in the American context difficult.(cont.) The Chinese approach does, however, have shortcomings; resettlement plans are largely generic and thus insensitive to individual needs and preferences, and planners hold a great deal of power that can be used nefariously. In terms of resettlement itself, the American approach allows for a greater diversity of responses, better matching household preferences, as most decisions are made at the household level. The Chinese approach is highly standardized, reflecting the centralized and comprehensive nature of planning. The American approach does, however, arguably fail to provide satisfactory options for the marginalized while the Chinese approach provides the same resettlement scheme to all.by Todd Edward William Schenk.M.C.P

Climate adaptation of interconnected infrastructures: a framework for supporting governance

Infrastructures are critical for human society, but vulnerable to climate change. The current body of research on infrastructure adaptation does not adequately account for the interconnectedness of infrastructures, both internally and with one another. We take a step toward addressing this gap through the introduction of a framework for infrastructure adaptation that conceptualizes infrastructures as complex socio-technical “systems of systems” embedded in a changing natural environment. We demonstrate the use of this framework by structuring potential climate change impacts and identifying adaptation options for a preliminary set of cases—road, electricity and drinking water infrastructures. By helping to clarify the relationships between impacts at different levels, we find that the framework facilitates the identification of key nodes in the web of possible impacts and helps in the identification of particularly nocuous weather conditions. We also explore how the framework may be applied more comprehensively to facilitate adaptation governance. We suggest that it may help to ensure that the mental models of stakeholders and the quantitative models of researchers incorporate the essential aspects of interacting climate and infrastructure systems. Further research is necessary to test the framework in these contexts and to determine when and where its application may be most beneficial.Infrastructure Networks Climate Adaptation and Hotspots. Knowledge for Climate Progra

Exploring how infrastructure stakeholders can prepare for uncertain climate futures

Thesis: Ph. D. in Public Policy and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, 2015.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (pages 355-384).Climate change poses a range of threats to our infrastructure systems. Efforts to respond are complicated by the uncertainty and complexity involved. The uncertainties are pervasive, going beyond scientific and technical issues to include significant governance challenges. This dissertation examines how stakeholders are likely to make project-level decisions in practice, and how we can support better processes. It considers the implications of using multiple scenarios as a way to frame uncertainty, and of bringing multiple stakeholders together for decision-making. It is also concerned with the differences across governance regimes, focusing on Boston, Singapore and Rotterdam. The research process featured a role-play simulation (RPS) exercise run with participants as a way to introduce issues and facilitate experimentation. Participants overwhelmingly favored flexible approaches as a way to proceed despite uncertainties, making the best possible decisions today while leaving options open as conditions change and learning occurs. Unfortunately, this research suggests that there are substantial barriers to institutionalizing flexibility. Participants were also extremely positive on the use of scenarios as a way to frame uncertainty. However, the exercise runs underscored the challenges associated with their use; scenarios encourage users to consider the implications of an uncertain future, but can concurrently deny them the single standards they are familiar with using. Another key finding is that adaptation planning efforts are deliberative processes in which facilitation, the behavior of participants, and process design matter; the choices participants made had significant implications on exercise outcomes. Finally, participants behaved differently across the three cities, underscoring the importance of wider governance norms. This dissertation concludes with three recommendations: First, the development of boundary organizations that can foster the dynamic institutions necessary to advance flexible adaptation. Second, given the importance of salient, credible and legitimate scientific and technical information, I recommend the use of joint fact finding (JFF) techniques. Because of the dynamic nature of climate adaptation, I suggest that JFF be explicitly iterative in nature. Scenarios can help JFF groups to consider the uncertainties involved. Third, I recommend that researchers consider using exercises as tools for action research, particularly when considering nascent and complex issues like climate adaptation.by Todd Edward William Schenk.Ph. D. in Public Policy and Plannin