Adaptability of urban grids : patterns of morphological change and persistence in Midtown Manhattan, 1884-2011

Urban grid, as an open framework and an adaptable form of spatial organisation, has a capacity to produce infinite complexity and variety through time. This research is about the morphological conditions that affect the generative capacity of urban grids. Arguing that there could be distinctive morphological settings and conditions that may hinder or facilitate further adaptation and change, the research aims to develop an analytical framework to identify possible morphological variables affecting the patterns of change and persistence in the built environment. The study focuses on the Midtown Manhattan, the central part of Manhattan's extensive grid, and traces the morphological changes and continuities between 1884 and 2011 by relying on a comprehensive spatial database. The longitudinal analysis of the site reveals that different characteristic areas in the grid (in terms of plot compositions, syntactic values of the streets, diversity of land uses) show different patterns of change and levels of adaptation to emerging disturbances through time. Identification of the reliable morphological parameters explaining the capacity of spatial change and persistence will contribute to the emerging discussions on the resilience and adaptability of urban form

Understanding institutional capacity for urban water transitions

Transitions management (TM) is emerging as an approach to governing complex sustainability problems. Critiques point to the need to understand dynamics of system change, particularly, with regard to actor agency at micro and meso scales. This paper begins to address this scholarly gap by first, developing an analytical framework of the institutional context of a transition that recognizes forms of agency. Second, a method to apply the framework to empirical cases of urban water socio-technical systems to map their institutional context is developed. The results revealed: i) ways to identify problematic features of current systems and underlying cognitive and normative frames, to assist with envisioning and transition pathway development, ii) a method of system analysis that can target leverage points for strategizing transitions agendas and experiments, and iii) a dynamic description of the system to assist with evaluating TM interventions and monitoring transitions. By providing a systems analysis cognizant of contextual dynamics and targeted to the knowledge needs of TM activities, this analytical tool shows promise for improving TM through further empirical application and research

Shortcuts for accelerating food system transitions

In light of ongoing global challenges of health, climate change, and food security, there is urgent need to transform our food systems. Here, we call for stakeholders to leverage collective wisdom garnered from more than two decades of sustainability transitions research into developing and implementing systemic approaches to shortcut theory to action and accelerate the transformation of global food systems

The Multi-Pattern Approach for Systematic Analysis of Transition Pathways

Pathways have become a central notion in various areas of research, amongst which are the studies of transitions to sustainability. Though various typologies and concepts are available, a framework for systematic analysis of transition pathways is lacking. We present the Multi-Pattern Approach (MPA) to fill this lacuna and provide a step-by-step manual for its application. The MPA addresses a range of traditional challenges of transitions’ pathway analysis, such as temporal and functional system demarcation and the unravelling of complex, interrelated systemic storylines. The approach provides an oft-called for rigour which allows a diagrammatic and formulaic representation of transitions’ pathways. Because of these qualities, the approach allows systematic cross-case comparison and provides a bridge between narrative-based and computational transitions research. The approach is demonstrated with an in-depth empirical case study of water management in Melbourne, Australia over the last 180 years. The article first presents a high-level mapping of the system’s evolution over time and a detailed analysis of the uptake and phasing out of specific servicing technologies and practices

Institutional barriers to advancing sustainable urban water management in port vila, Vanuatu

To date social research into the institutional aspects of sustainable urban water management has predominately been conducted in developed urban contexts, resulting in a significant lack of insight into the institutional drivers and barriers in developing urban centres, which this research begins to address. This research project investigated the understanding, perceptions and motivation relating to the transition to sustainable urban water management practices in the rapidly growing urban centre of Port Vila, Vanuatu. The need for improved urban water management, practitioners' awareness of potential solutions, barriers and opportunities to implement solutions were investigated through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with more than 40 individuals who were identified as having a significant role in urban water management from national and local government, aid and development agencies, consultants, and the tourism sector. The data analysis revealed that in contrast to developed contexts where socio-institutional barriers are the primary barriers to transitioning to SUWM, in Port Vila there continue to be a number of technical barriers limiting the potential to transition. Skills development regarding both technical and socio-institutional capacity will be essential for enabling the transition to SUWM in Port Vila in the coming years.</p