Knowledge integration in urban climate citizen participation

Abstract

Being especially vulnerable for the consequences of climate change, cities worldwide are fully engaged in developing strategies and policies regarding climate adaptation. Citizen participation in urban climate adaptation projects is essential in the transition to sustainable cities. The complexity of this transition requires the involvement of different perspectives and types of knowledge. However, the challenge in participatory processes often lies in the knowledge integration between citizens and experts. Literature emphasizes the importance of focussing on process rather than outcome when it comes to participation. Several authors indicate the need of developing participatory processes that ensure the actual integration of different types of knowledge. This thesis therefore focuses on the relationship between citizen participation in the process of plan-forming in planning projects regarding urban climate adaptation, and the capacity for knowledge integration between citizens and experts in those projects. The research is conducted by a case study research design with qualitative methods. By conducting both document analysis and in-depth interviews, a comprehensive overview is provided of the relationship between participation methods and knowledge integration capacity.

The results of this study demonstrate that the way in which capacity for knowledge integration between citizens and experts is formed is closely related to the design of participation. A recurring theme in the results is the importance of carefully organizing the participation process, with the focus on that process itself rather than on its outcome. By structuring this process on the basis of a number of important guidelines, capacity for knowledge integration between citizens and experts is created. The most important guidelines concern the early involvement of citizens so that their knowledge and interests are included from the start, building and maintaining citizens' trust and creating an intensive collaboration between citizens and experts, bridging differences in knowledge levels. In this way constructive conversations can take place in which capacity for knowledge integration between citizens and experts is created.

A caveat to the research is that the focus on disadvantaged communities also poses a limitation in the research. The reason for this limitation lies in the fact that poverty of citizens in disadvantaged communities can form a barrier in their incentive to participate, due to prejudice and stigmatization. When citizens did not participate in the investigated cases for this reason, their voice was not heard in the interviews. In possible follow-up research, a more personal approach to people could therefore be considered, in order to gain people's trust so that they dare to speak out.